Imitate and then Innovate

This comment hit a hot button with me. It was an unsolicited comment on a friends work on Instagram. I have been a blogger since 2007 so I am used to critics of my pots, my writing and my life's philosophy. Maybe I have developed a thick skin or a don't give a shit attitude. No, it still stings. "Hm.. "never suck from the breast of someone else's creativity" It's better to use the techniques you've learned from your mentor and put them into your own forms with your own imagery." Who gives a person the right to make such a comment publicly. Is it grand standing? Is it insecurity? Is it jealousy? Social media has turned everyone into a critic. When someone puts a pic of their pot on Instagram they do it because they are proud of it! If you don't care for it move on to the next pic. Always be kind if you have something to say. Anyone that has been in clay as long as I have know that it takes time to develop your own signature. As a potter that has presented probably hundreds of workshops in many countries around the world I know that people come to learn how you do what you do. I tell them to imitate me and then innovate. The innovation will take years maybe a decade or two. I go back almost 40 years to the pots of Mick Casson. I studied with Mick one summer in Wales and on return to Canada made probably the worst look alike pots of Micks for a few years. I now think I make pots that still reference Mick but are mine.

Here are two of my proteges Jen Drysdale and Andrew Kellner. They are part of my lineage, my family tree, my part of the history of Ceramics in Ontario, Canada.

People that know my work and know my association with Jen and Andrew can see the reference. I am very proud of their work and my small part in their development. Sometimes I look at their work and think holy shitzkie their work has left mine in the dust. A good teacher develops excellent students. Even my beloved daughter Robin who has the best taste in Ceramics I know collects Jen and Andrew and she gets the ones of mine that didn't sell which are usually the best ones. Always try to be kind. Lots of love, T