By now you’ve likely heard of the passing of Betty Woodman. There are many well written articles and obituaries circulating about her life and work, but I thought here I might just let her speak in her own words. If the following few videos give you a taste for more there are many more on Youtube and Vimeo.
“For four decades, Canadian ceramic artist Steven Heinemann has been turning clay into mesmerizing works of art. Heinemann has been widely recognized around the world with several national and international awards and prestigious residencies under his belt, and he came by the q studio to speak with guest host Ali Hassan about the challenges of working with clay, and the life lessons he’s learned from his art form.”
I’m not sure why it is that I wake up every January 1st with some renewed optimism about how things might be if I could just get myself better organized and focused. “This will be the year I finally accomplish…. (fill in the blank with a number of personal and professional goals)”. What about the beginning of a year seems to clean the slate, make us start fresh?
Realistically I still have a massive amount of leftover work from last year that gets dragged into this fresh new year like a dirty sock no one wants to deal with, so it’s not like the option to start fresh exists. But yet here I am, all optimistic. Trying to sort out what my goals should be, trying to act like a grown up in control of things rather than just bobbing along in the waves letting the current take me where it pleases.
I’ve been really lucky in my professional life that great opportunities have come along and that I have had such generous support from this creative community that I love and advocate for. I’m always feverish for the next project, the next collaboration and new possibilities for growth and learning. I lie awake at night wondering how to make musing about mud better, how to build a better presence for make and do ceramics, and how to find the time to dream up more projects like National Clay Week’s The Crafted Dish. But I also often wonder if my visions are really what the community out there (yes I’m talking about you!) are needing and looking for. I’m realistic about how limited my time is, how stretched thin things can be, but I don’t begrudge that – I just want to be as efficient and effective as possible. So I’m curious what you as makers, as organizations, as creative partners in our lovely Clay world see as a void that needs to be addressed; something you wish there was more of, something you crave in your corner of the world. How can we all work together to address those needs? How might I as editor of Musing help contribute to that?
This year marks the 11th year of Musing About Mud. Eleven years is a long time. I’m in the mood to celebrate. I’m also in the mood to bring new energy into this blog. I’m not sure how to stop bobbing along with the tide. Perhaps you have some ideas you might want to share….
Hugs and love to all my friends.
May 2018 bring you happiness, health, peace, and safety, wherever you are in the world.
