For all of us it has been a year of challenges. Nothing seems to be clear, it has been hard to focus as this pandemic has clouded our collective vision. On a personal level it has been hard for me to work on any but a few pieces as I have not felt a ‘direction’. There have been none of the usual shows that allow you to get your work out to a larger audience and receive their feedback. Of course, it has been hard to invite anyone to the studio. As my partner Regina was forced to close her catering business due to COVID, we took to a couple of ‘Sales’ here at home for which many of her beautiful pieces as well as some of my pottery found new homes. Thankful for that.
I was also fortunate to able to contribute work to a wonderful local organization for a fund raising event, to offer over a hundred pieces ‘For Free’ which went, in the end, to help raise money to feed folks in need, and also to simply gift pieces to friends and friends of friends just because. Good to share.
I hope that as we turn the calendar to the New Year we will continue to respect each other and to help keep each other stay safe. Many will continue to face challenges as we move through these next few months and some of us will be on a different path than we have walked before. I will look to add something different to my evolution as a potter. There is always something else to try and with the encouragement of friends and their “requests” some new idea to explore.
In all I feel very fortunate to be able to continue keeping my hands busy whether gardening, pottery or composing music. Growing, creating, enjoying the fruits of our labor keeps me sane in these troubled times. There is a new beginning for all of us in these days ahead. May we embrace it and move forward and achieve all that we have within us!
Happy New Year 2021