MadMetal

LeeU statement of "I have lost so much ability (physical/cognitive) that I can't get back to where I once was. So, my present place is some "other direction". At the moment, I'm just looking to satisfy myself" really hits home with me. I have little background in ceramics, however a career in metal working. When i first started my metal work, it was all about exact spec..like down to .001" tolerances. I then began repairing vintage art pieces as well as making pieces for Columbus Museum of Art. My wife as an artist, is very free flowing. Her circles, in my book were more like ellipses (we always call it "designer math"). When life dealt its cards that put me into the same category that LeeU spoke of, i found new freedoms in "just not caring" if something was no longer in spec. Yes, i still want to be able to control my mediums, but at the same time, artistic variation is what makes unique hand crafted versus stamped out reproduction. I re-aligned my customer base to those that appreciated one of a kind uniqueness. My world of medium and creation has greatly expanded. I particularly love "voodoo" art..ie only general science behind it. I love flame coloring of cooper, metal spinning and the look forward to the intrigue of mystical glaze remnant mixes, burial firing. I believe you have to have the honest conversation with yourself as to which style energizes your own creativity and interest. From there, make sure the customer understands and is interested in the same end result. These days I make what i want, if someone likes it, they buy it. Otherwise i gift it to my daughter..lol I do believe you have to look at it like any art...be it music, literature etc. Do you want to be a Grisham who cranks out very good but predictable recipe novels or a David Bowie who constantly pushed his artistic envelope and growth and surprised his fans with something new. Neither is wrong as long as its honest and you give it your heart and soul.

As once said to my wife "hope you like the taste of nuts & bolts" as I dont even want to think about $'s spent in the shop. I guess we are adding Kilns and Clay to our retirement food menu. Since everything is heavy (shear weights 15,000#s), i have decided to leave all that to my daughter to deal with. Being an auction & vintage equipment freak, i have tooling even i still dont know what it was used for...