Many people have asked me where I get ideas for my pottery. I am always looking for design inspiration as I go through the day– walking around the city, playing on the beach, exploring the mountains, or where ever I happen to be. Sometimes it is an interesting creature, like the hermit crab on the bowl posted last week, that draws my attention. It could also be fabric on a person’s clothing, a painting, a scene in a park, or a song (see the post from yesterday). Sometimes ideas will pop into my head in the middle of the night seemingly out of no where. I also keep an inspiration folder of photos, magazine clippings, and sketches that I refer to if I am having trouble coming up with a strategy for a specific ceramic piece.
Once I start carving a pot, the picture may evolve and change as I go along. When carving, I am concentrating very hard on the design. As a result, it isn’t uncommon to think of things that will make the pot better. Designing ‘in the round’ on a piece with contours also presents challenges that are much different than those of a flat surface with edges. Changes may need to be made as I feel out how much the curves are impacting the picture.
In short, keep you eyes open and be flexible.