Competing with the past
Today I was rummaging around my stash looking for pieces to make some new necklaces with and I came across these three pendants. I made them over three years ago and promptly put them in my "archive" thinking that I would get around to using them at some point. Obviously I never did, which is typical for me. So, when I came across them today I had several thoughts...
Thought #1: I really like that rusty red/brown glaze. I remember that it was a test and for some reason I never used it again. I hope the recipe is still floating around somewhere...
Thought #2: I was much more ambitious three years ago. Or perhaps I should say I was "differently" ambitious. I am still ambitious, just in different ways.
Thought #3: While handbuilding this type of pendant is very time-consuming nothing more needs to be done in the way of a necklace design. No beads or other embellishment is necessary, in fact, they look best just placed on a simple neck ring. So... are they really more work or are they actually less work????
Perhaps the thoughts that struck me the most were these: How has my work progressed since this time? Has it? Was I better three years ago? What have a I learned during those three years?
I have no idea how to answer those questions but I am going to do some serious pondering over them. Have you ever looked at your older work and wondered if you are a better artist now than you were then?
Comments
YES. Especially because I'm always trying to juggle my time versus being creative, you know, while NOT STARVING TO DEATH. I just came out of a large burn-out phase with the decision to only make things I love, things that engage my problem-solving brain, things that are moving in the direction that *I* want to go in (will any of my customers like that direction? Heck I hope so.) I refuse to make anything solely because it feels like I am obligated to ... I call it, and I think you will appreciate this: frosting. I am only making frosting.
And I have to say, it is really fun and really energizing me. So far, so good.
i'm a better artist now than before..however i do keep proto types of those flashes of creativity that pop up unexpectedly thru the years and sometimes revisit those ideas.
the neck rings are perfect... i love bold pendants on simple leather or wire...
I would be so curious to see where your brain takes you in this venture… I'm digging back into my Entomology and nature roots to see where my work is to go next. And I'm totally consumed by it (although it has not quite hit my hands and clay quite as I want yet - which just means more to come!).
I don't know if I'm a better artist, but I stay on the track - better than being derailed!
As to your question about more or less work, it's a balance thing. Maybe you could do some of the hand-built pendants and charge a little more for them, while also making your other things. Eh?
Ok, time is always an issue. XD Well, you'll figure it all out.
I know I'm a better artist than I was two years ago. I have way more techniques and my mental box is a lot bigger now, thanks largely to other artists. Actually I find much of my early stuff painful to look at. Like cat poo.