Ceramic artist: Whitney Smith
My design sense is primarily informed by my obsession with flowers and other forms found in nature. I have painted and drawn since I was a small child, and many of my designs are influenced by other painters and 2-D artists. I am also strongly influenced by Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement of the 19th early 20th Century. I like the look and feel of old things and antiques, and my glaze choices have a certain look that reminds people of an different era.
I’ve been asking myself some serious questions about the direction my career has taken in the last year. … Most people passing by or stopping in my booth don’t identify me as “Whitney Smith” or understand that what they are looking at is something I make with my hands. My pottery is nothing more than merchandise– albeit beautiful merch, but nothing more than that. …
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June 19th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Oh Whitney ;) …don’t despair. Most people are schmuckleheads and don’t
appreciate the time and work involved in creating works of art.
I love the floral vase shown on Whiplash. Create because you love it.
I’m in the process of making a quilt. I’ve ripped and sewn and ripped, etc.
I don’t mind ripping out hours of work…I would mind it if I didn’t. It’s fun to see what the outcome will be. I have a vision of it in my head but, as you know, what’s in your head seldom shows up as the end product.
Keep doing what you do. If you had stopped before you made that bowl I never would have seen it…I’m glad you made it.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Whitney,
Your work is delicate, exquisite, exciting. It’s brought me joy and inspiration to look at the photo on whip-up–how much more delightful to see it in person!
I’m having a similar moment in my work, which is poetry. The important thing is to remember that all of this is part of the practice of your art. These questions will deepen your work as long as you don’t stop practicing. Ask your work what it wants to do. Whatever, it’s going to be beautiful. I keep this quote from painter Robert Rauschenberg above my desk: “An idea is a trick to actually reach that solitary point of creativity. . . . I don’t really trust ideas–especially good ones. Rather, I put my trust in the materials that confront me, becasue they put me in touch with the unknown.”