a must read
annie dillard, “the writing life” is a must read in my opinion. i’m reading it for the 3rd time and it never ceases to amaze me and fill my head with new inspiration.
even as a potter i find endless words of wisdom from dillard’s writing about her own struggle in being a writer. every artist alike deals with “writers block” and as i struggle through my own period of this i am comforted by her words.
the latest quote that is helping is this:
“Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.”
— annie dillard, the writing life)
i believe she is saying here to pass on what you have learned by teaching, discussing, this is funny but blogging too.
also i find more meaning. i think even learning more myself, to never end the discovery process is so important. i have a rule for myself to take a class or a workshop once a year. it can be in anything actually, just so i never stop learning. this is hard with kids, but i find it so important, especially when you have had a summer of making 350 mugs and don’t have time for much else.
i also think she is saying to share what you have inside through your work. get it out so that it won’t spoil and become a vacant land of forgotten and wasted ideas.
so, besides mug after mug after mug for a large order, i’ve been getting my ideas out and making these:
Tags: annie dillard, ceramics, pottery, vase
July 6th, 2010 at 8:06 am
hi annie, sounds like a good read! i’ll have to find it. love your post and it’s good to hear from you!
i hope you are doing great!
July 6th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Annie these are absolutely beautiful!!! You are so incredibly talented! And the learning something new is so important. My art teacher tells me that all the time. She still does workshops . And you feel so inspired after being around other artists.
July 6th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Wow! 350 mugs! That’s amazing! I’m sure you have been very busy and do get quite tired of the sameness of each mug. I do love your new creation! It is beautiful!
July 6th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Love that new vase! It is like the pregnancy vase! Those are good words and I am so glad you are back to blogging. We missed you.
July 6th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Oh my gosh Annie, this means you must have bought a new copy because I borrowed that book from you forever ago and never gave it back I loved it so much…..oh the shame…I kept it for my self now its going to become destructive! I will go to my bookshelf and find ashes haha!
I do love Annie Dillard, and used to live near Tinker Creek, she went to college near my hometown, good stuff
July 7th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Thanks for the wise words, Annie. It is encouraging to hear about your journey. I wish I’d taken a class a year since I started potting–better late than never!–but I know it’s hard with startng a family, too. I would be happy to help out with babysitting to support you in your endeavor…Gotta go get that book, too:)
July 11th, 2010 at 5:07 am
wise words to follow- love that you are having fun while making a big order.
Orders pay the bills while fun pays the soul.
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