LeeU Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 I am so pleased with myself. Why? Because I like how my stuff is turning out and it makes me feel good--nourishing, somehow, to find I am still able to THINK creatively after 30 years of ultimately fairly numbing work in public sector human services, which is not overly conducive to having an idea and going anywhere with it. I made my daughter a pendant. I don't do jewelry, so I was winging it, but I wanted her to have something from the recent anagama firing and she doesn't care for wood fired blacks/browns/oxides etc. So I made a little porcelain dangle and it came out with a nice warm tan blush, no heavy char. I rubbed a tiny bit of super fine glitter dust on the imprinted texture, so it should suit her. I put some new pics on my website,twostepsforward.net under Ceramics>New Work , not so much to toot my own horn as to just give my friends a little gift by letting them see I am indeed coming back to life, and life is good. So...pride in your work, proud of yourself...whaddya think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 One thing I've come to accept in working with clay/kilns, sometimes you hit it right and sometimes it goes straight to the trash. This is truly one of the most humbling mediums in which a person can work; one day you're the master of the universe, the next you get all the frustration/vexation you can handle. It's okay to take pride in your work and to feel good about your work; excessive pride or misplaced pride is something else. To keep yourself in balance, remember you are only as good as your next firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavy Fire Studios Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Know what? Accomplishing something that speaks to the heart is something to be very much proud of. There is nothing wrong with having good self-esteem when it comes to one's labors! Now, being a fathead egotistical buttmunch is another matter, because that isn't a positive thing for anyone, including said fathead. Just like what Bciskepottery said, the best thing about ceramics is that it really does keep us grounded. The second the fathead comes a'marching in, the kiln will EAT the whole load. Our gods are capricious, so we learn to appreciate their kindness when it comes without feeling entitled to it. At least, that's what I think. Cool piece, by the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Its one of the things that has kept me focused in ceramics-one day you are king the next you are the trashman.\ As stated above one day its all coming out great the next the whole load is in the can.This process does tend to send some folks packing and those who stick it out find it never ends. Enjoy the sucesses but be mindfull its ceramics and it will all change in a firing in the future. We just never know what firing. I have come to believe my only god is the kiln god and he/she is fickle at best. Congrats on the work coming out well. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Good for you!! I love the sweet simplicity of the piece ... and YES, enjoy every single second of pride in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 I think you should be proud of your creations or they should meet the hammer. If you sign your work, keep high standards. I don't think that is a sin. I think it is integrity. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 While an "apology" for digressing from the technical, per se, is clearly not necessary, I woke this AM with the out-of-the-blue realization that I had probably posted the "pride query" on the wrong board. I was looking at S. Branfman's profile as moderator of the Potters Council forum and noted his comment "What has clay taught me: Humility." Then again, humility/pride is probably fair game for any forum. Now, this particular fat head just needs some ballast for the balloon! But not yet...note to self: enjoy the ride before you crash...if you survive, you'll learn the lesson of the necessity of balance...which may have to be revisited from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 You are supposed to take pride in yourself and your work. There is no sin in that. The form of pride that is a sin, is when you feel you are better than everyone else and that makes you feel good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 If we can't get excited over our latest work, where's the positive reinforcement to keep going? Intrinsic motivation (pride, excitement, joy) are better long term motivators than extrinsic reasons (shame/feeling the work isn't good enough). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenowethArts Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 This is a celebrate-your-success kind of pride and you should revel in it. I am still chuckling over and his "fathead egotistical buttmunch" description of vane pride...that cracks me up (no pun intended).-Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebekah Krieger Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 It seems to be common in this culture to be self loathing and overly self critical. I once was given a compliment on my clothing by a work colleague and replied "oh no, this is an old ugly hand me down suit". She stopped me, held both of my hands and looked me in the eyes. She said "next time somebody offers you a compliment just smile and say "thank you". It taught me a big lesson. It's OK to like yourself, enjoy the way you look/feel some times, think you are talented, smart, and worthy of praise. If we don't love ourselves who else is left in the world to do it? When people depend on others for compliments we are often left feeling "let down" and we also can seek unhealthy relations. It looks great, but you don't need someone's approval to love your own work. <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 She stopped me, held both of my hands and looked me in the eyes. She said "next time somebody offers you a compliment just smile and say "thank you". One of the most important things I have learned early in life. Good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavy Fire Studios Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Chenoweth!! I'm a GIRL!!! ...do you know dudes named Sarah? Hahaha!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenowethArts Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Chenoweth!! I'm a GIRL!!! ...do you know dudes named Sarah? Hahaha!! Oh dear, ! So sorry, Sarah. Allow me to chalk that one up to checking the wrong profile before posting. No dudes named Sarah...but wasn't there a famous "Boy Named Sue"? -Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Sinful pride to me is that which does not allow one to grow or learn anything new because they are to good. As far as pride in work goes, it is one of the things that make us Craftsmen/Craftswomen. If you don't take pride in what you do, isn't it just easy to make do? Of course the big problem with most of us is that we crit our work constantly, striving for something better, and never quite . . . satisfied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Yes, Pride is a funny one. Can't say I feel proud when pots go well, I may do the odd jiggle and smile a lot at some pots, then a bit later, not long usually come the"what if I...", and "why". and would it work if.. and then that moment is gone and a few years later I want to regain that pot and replace it with "better" one, and this is when the owner steps in and says NO. Wish I'd taken up wrestling> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 2 me its the 'process' that charges me on a daily basis. I really dig that. With he right music and the work going well I get in a zone that is really cool. Even when I was cutting everything in half I didn't care, just check it and move on. It's just some mud so if its bad toss it and grab another ball or slab of clay. Pots have so much to go through that I don't get too attached until its time to open the glaze kiln, then I'm primed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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