Am I an artist yet?

I’ve worked in clay for almost 25 years, but I’m still trying to get good at being an artist.

I’ve worked in clay for almost 25 years, but I’m still trying to get good at being an artist. Having a consistent creative practice takes intentional effort, especially if you’re a parent of three. It’s too easy to say yes to all the things, leaving little time and mental space for deep, introspective work. Or maybe that’s just me. Being an artist isn’t only about honing technique, creating, and visual communication. You likely do so much more unless surrounded by a team of business managers and assistants.

More often than not, I’ve been better at the business side of my work over the years. I’ve enjoyed markets, researching trends, and marketing. But I’ve struggled with the deep, introspective portion needed for development. Understanding the why of what I’m doing. There were times when working in clay was enough. Just getting my hands dirty was enough. It signified that I was still connected, and my creative communication was lit.

But I’m in a different place now. I’m no longer afraid. I have a lot to process, and my work is expanding as I do so. That’s one reason I’m writing Considered Clay. Writing helps me understand how my work is connected to my experiences.

I recently began the series of essays by 40 working artists in Living and Sustaining a Creative Life. I love these first-hand accounts of how artists sustain creative lives, which I’ve realized is part of the creative process. Making time and space for introspection is the first step for that introspection.

“I am confronted with obstacles on a daily basis, and my job is to find a way to persevere regardless. As I have gotten older, I have come to realize the sacrifices I have to make on a daily basis. Sometimes those sacrifices come in the form of things, sometimes it is a social life, and sometimes it is people.”

Artist Amy Pleasant made me feel seen. She put into words my thoughts over the past year when I miss WhatsApp messages from other parents or realize I haven’t responded to an email or text. I can’t fit it all in. I can’t fit everyone in. I have to make choices, and that’s okay.

This week, I perused high-fire glaze samples at FAU for a current project. I haven’t worked with high-fire clay and glazes in years, so it was an absolute treat! I also visited Julie Evans’ ceramic work at the Boca Raton Art Museum in her exhibit Eating Sunshine. Her work felt relevant—I might just be one of her plants. I, too, need nourishment from the sun to survive. Relatedly, I hope the rains hold off today so my husband and I can spend time at the beach with our kids. We all need salt therapy today to prepare for a new week. Happy Sunday, friends!