So much to think about...

There has certainly been a lot on my mind lately, not the least of which is the events surrounding Ferguson and the decision of the Grand Jury in the Michael Brown shooting. That is a topic I hope to write about soon, as it has real implications for the Sweep Project, but to be honest I am still processing much of my emotions about that event. 

I have also been thinking a lot about my art practice and making pots. Pots are a tricky subject for me. They are, in some ways, a distraction. They take a lot of time, like just about everything else I make these days. With so many projects going on, I am often left asking myself if it is worth it to continue to make pots. After thinking about that a great deal over the past year, I have decided that it is worth it. The practice, or rather the rhythm, of making pots is still something that feeds my soul. That alone pretty much puts the whole topic to rest. 

Pots also represent many of the ways I am hoping all of my work will interact with people. In a world that increasingly tries to find ways to distract us, handmade pots  give a chance to slow down. They take our daily routines and turn them into sacred spaces. To that end I try to make pots that are simple, with rich earthy surfaces and a variety of textures.  I am reminded as I make the work I am literally touching earth, and I hope to convey that since to the user. I want the user to be really aware of the vessel and the food. Too often we eat and drink from paper products (products which are usually covered in logos and/or advertisements, no less), and this causes us to become numb to the whole experience of eating- at times it becomes just another thing that needs to be done during the day, rather than a time of delight, rest, reconnecting and recharging.  The connection between humans, earth, food is special. I hope in some small way to make pieces that honor and enhance those connections. 

---