Category: Blog

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More Than Taking A Pottery Class

Wanted to address this subject of the popularity of Ceramic classes which seems to have had a burst of popularity and return to making things with your hands, As an instructor of a wheel throwing class I see a great amount of people that take the classes to learn and improve their skill set, others that use it more of a social outlet and way to learn something new and then there is a small group of individuals that want to use it as a source of income, a side hustle, this is dedicated to you…….

From the outside looking in it may seem easy to some that living off what you create in the studio “seems” easy enough but the life of a Maker/Potter isn’t as easy as some might think.

Yes everyone can sign up for a class, learn to hand build or wheel throw. and learn how to glaze or learn couple of decorative techniques and then BOOM! You think you are a potter?

I come across this quite frequently in my line of work as in instructor, and the illusion is sometime quite amusing.

Skill set is one thing, but the making of a style or esthetic takes years of trials and error, to learn primarily what you like, make products that follow that style, promote products through venues, popups or thru galleries to get your name out there are all elements of setting up a way to create a side-hustle that you actually can make some income. I have done this for years and believe me. Online shops are full of good intentions, but in reality are full of mediocre products that mostly look the same with no character that sets them aside from the rest……

Where do you see your artistic creativity going? Who do you want to compete with? Which venues are you going to choose to promote your creativity? These are some of the important questions you have to ponder before you set out to sell your work online or in person thru popups or galleries.

Not a criticism per se, but too many times I see this happen to some people I teach that the craftsmanship and technique of wheel throwing is only an element of the whole process to have work that respects your design esthetic that followers want to acquire…. Think about this as the road to this is always different for each creative maker.

Am leaving it here for you all to think about it, where do you find yourself in road from creativity to commerce? Let me know

Peace out until next time.

thehornypotter

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Markets&Pop Ups: A few Things to Consider

picture for online store

It has been a while since the last entry and I am sorry for the absence from blogging, but Focus was on other work on my plate. I have been concentrating on making stock for upcoming Holiday season and a focus on more affordable work for my followers, while keeping the work and quality consistent. Prices of goods, shipping and other supplies keep rising and it is time that we all access the possibilities as a recession looms.

Smaller or simplified work so that it is within reach of a budget conscious clientele, while keeping the craftsmanship high and keeping return customers coming back. I have shifted a bit of my own production in different directions to test the reaction of clients and new customers, As a multi-disciplined maker,I have the ability to work in different mediums, tho primarily ceramics, I am branching out to sell my aesthetic of things that “I would want to buy”. Empathy helps when planning a strategy for the consumers.

During the Holiday season, focus is on gift buying for others, and we as Makers should not forget about this. Gift giving , when money is tight is a sign that with few exceptions, the amount of money spent for gifts will be less than normal. I am trying to provide thrifty alternatives that follows my aesthetic, and keeping an eye on what I will charge for the final products.

You can always make higher priced work to display with the more affordable products, I think that it is aways a good idea to show your clients the possibilities of your creativity and range, so that you do not put yourself into a box or corner, but show different price points of your own work. So people can get an idea for the future.

When showing work at Art Fairs, Pop-Ups and other venues… Remember, display your best work, possibly in different price points, keep it clean and simple and have stock to replace items, and most importantly, do not OVERstock your display with “TOO MUCH” work, this can confuse the consumer as to what to buy. Price all pieces individually with tags or good signage, and let the prospective client browse without trying to hard sell your work. Have business cards available with online shop info……. People need time to reflect sometimes, especially when money is tight, Give them the space to observe and ask questions, be helpful and professional about explaining the techniques used for the works on display. …

I receive many commissions from the shows that I have done in the past so your signage, contact info is also a priority….. Remember to Sell Your Aesthetic and NOT Your Soul. People buy from makers because of your style of making things, do not forget this and underprice your creative work in order to sell. We need to be paid for our artistic strife to make handmade goods, It is a choice when you sell “Handmade”

All for now, Peace OUT

thehornypotter

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NCECA in Richmond 2024

This time of year is hectic with show calls for entry, and the upcoming NCECA Ceramic conference in Richmond in mid-March which was cancelled the first time due to COVID and now it is all set to see what is up in the ceramic world regarding education, upcoming trends and the various popups in the convention but most importantly Outside of the venue with different concurrent exhibitions going on the week from March 20-25th, 2024. I am again participating in a couple of shows there(but stay tuned to my IG for more information) as it gets closer to the event.

Whether a part time potter, teacher or student, It is always important to see the new aspects of the Industry. There has been a revival of interest due to TikTok and other social media platforms as hobbyists, influencers and professionals are gettin online to instruct, promote and use social media to reach a vaster audience and create a stir about their work. This has become part of the game to find new ceramic artists, or communities of potters and hobbyists.

The image above is one of the pieces which was presented in the last NCECA in Cincinnati at the Carl Solway Gallery, collective show of Erotic Ceramic Artists called “Obscene” and was a big hit with the ceramic crowd as an obligatory stop of one of the concurrent exhibitions outside of the Ceramic Conference. More than 90 concurrent Exhibits in and around Cincinnati and though exhausting, I want thank the organizers of the show for their hardworking effort to make that show a success.

Hopefully you get the opportunity to come to Richmond and check out this year’s conference and the concurrent shows going on that week. Discover new ceramic artists, network with the potters community or even donate a cup to NCECA so that in some way you can support the initiative in some way so that the ceramic community can grow stronger with many interesting forms of expressions in clay.

All for now, hope to see you there.

thehornypotter

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Niche Market or Safe Art?

I am always surprised by the reactions to some of the my work when meeting new people in my studio , or more recently at a collective show at the last Ceramic clay conference in Cincinnati just recently, It was interesting to observe a wide range of visitors , many art student, convention organizers, and most importantly other artists and VIP collectors.

Part of doing a collective show, is that sometimes due to budget, participants are asked to man part of the exhibition, to help out and also gives one the opportunity to talk about their work and of others in the collective, It was very interesting to see how my work was perceived by this wide range of viewers and ceramic enthusiasts. This lead me to the follow thoughts: Is it better to dedicate work to a niche market or other more conservative venues to market your work?

This is a personal choice, of course, this also depends on the type of work that you are doing, the network (social media, brick& mortar galleries, or other art groups and associations…But as I continue as a mid-career artist that specializes in erotica, I am getting the feeling that”for myself’‘, the niche market is the route that I am choosing versus other more mundane or “safe” art venues.

What is the objective of Niche markets? As the diversity issue is becoming a political platform on different topics from sexuality, gun reform, Abortion and many others, focusing on smaller groups to market your work. One, depending on the quality of the work and Two, how it is put out into the market(online shop,social media, street fairs, gallery shows) and how to reach those niche customers and enthusiasts. These all come with costs to invest and there is no guarantees that you will profit from some of these endeavors.

The best advice to those that want to attract a niche audience are quite simple:

-search out products similar to the ones you want to propose online

-see how they are sold and through what platforms

-where they are showcased ( galleries, pop-ups, street fairs, online)

With this kind of basic information of competition, all available by searching the web, this will give you the idea of what is on the current market, sometimes with price points and shipping, and location.

Please remember, Do NOT approach venues that already have similar products, no one needs copies or versions of work made by different artisans. These structures do a lot of work in selecting artist to represent, they see the best and also mediocre. So keep this in mind.

Gathering the information is important so that you do not go about this without some indication of the competition. Know your market of consumers and HOW to get your work out to this market. For everyone, it will be a different experience. Let me know what works for you….

Think about it, until next time…..peace out, thehornypotter

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After NCECA,Getting Back To The Blog

Too much time has passed in the last year to keep up online to keep you all up to date with the goings on in my studio and am just getting back from doing a collective show from the NCECA Clay Conference in Cincinnati ,OH with other talented ceramic artists in a show Called”OBSCENE” which was in a funky gallery space, @The Carl Solway Gallery.

This was my first adventure off line and into the mix of physical shows where the organization, shipping, manning the show were all part of another way of “self- promotion” in order to get your work noticed and way to network with many other talented potters who share the same purpose to strengthen the ceramic community.

I am truly grateful to the organizers of this spectacular show for this opportunity to showcase my work at my first ceramic clay conference. It is always a crap shoot when deciding which shows or events are ideal for the placement of your work, and sometimes the risks do not always pay off. It is a better bet to “always” search out the locations, other participants who might be more well established before deciding if that or this is their right venue for work.

The quality of your work and that of others needs to be determining factor when you are decision making. The world of Art in general and shows is shifting as of late, and we see that due to social media, the way creative work is being discovered along with other unknown talents is partly due to the fact that the “online reality” has taken hold and now is an integral part for the creative community and an element to learn how to use to get your work outside of your comfort zone and into the creative community’s sphere of on and off- line events.

These shows do come with costs, shipping entrance fees, accommodations, travel expenses and much more are part of these types of adventure. And remember that no one works for nothing ,and eventual percentages should always go to the organizers, who risk the most for these types of pop-up shows.

Shows of this type are aways a great way to contact and network with other creatives, who you might until now follow online and have never met in person. It was great to hook up with fellow potters and ask technical questions on their work processes. I was amazed at some of the work in the show by Jason Briggs and Jamie Bates Slone.

In the end this w as a learning experience, a big learning curve on how to promote and connections for the future, we are all invested in positive experiences and also sales of our work. Hopefully this will be the start of new adventures in many new directions for me and the other potters in the show.

Go online and check out NCECA 2023 and Obscene Show at the Carl Solway Gallery to see images of the work presented and the talented artist that took part in this event,

All for now,

thehornypotter

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Studio Time and Something Old &New For the Holidays

Back to the studio with a lot on my plate at the moment, outside regional shows, jurying for a holiday show, teaching a workshop and of course the beginning of holiday show production and commissions. Busy time in the new solo studio as I get accustomed to the entire space, looking into new directions of work for the holidays and never a dull moment, always have my hands in clay or painting new work to replace those that have been sold.

As these Holidays come closer, many of us are preparing work for the upcoming sales online and in person and we need to think about creating an opportunity for clients and followers to see something new from all of us especially in these times. An adaptation, new formats and price points and of course more affordable original art that can be gifted.

The most important aspect of trying new directions is to see the reaction to new work, in a range of price points from affordable to more expensive items for the true art enthusiasts. But as prices of goods, supplies, shipping are on the rise, we need to keep our costs and price points varied. It is always a test to see what is the customer is willing to spend for themselves or for friends and family. Be aware that in order to grow your audience, look at the possibilities to create work that can fit all or some of the pockets of your followers.

I have noticed the requests of my ongoing commissions asking for smaller sized work as holiday gifts, Some times we go on auto-pilot when the holidays come around and make and produce the same stuff as the year before. Seen that,Been there,Nothing New…. Is some of the reactions I have observed from a lot of people that are doing shows that are not financially rewarding as years past.

Being an artist means that you always need to be on the search for the cutting edge work that sometimes people do NOT expect from you. Subject matter or technique need to be explored and sometimes flipped on it’s side. New formats or color ways are just a part of the beginning of adding a “risk factor” to your current work in order to see the reaction from followers, clients or friends…… And can this new road become financially successful? This is what we need to find out…

Take a chance and create something in a new direction, see the reactions and gain insight if it can be a new part of your current body of work…. Or just a commercial success to bring a bit more stability and variation to your current process of creativity…… The roads might be successful and sometimes not, but we as creatives need to know and let our audience see that we attempt to do new things in new directions that sometimes might take time to gain in popularity or creative income. It is an investment in ourselves that we do not box ourselves into a corner, doing things that everyone expects…..Surprise yourself and others with a new direction…… Let me know what the response is to a new line of work….

thehornypotter

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Changes @ The Torpedo Factory Studio

For the first time since returning to the US, I have decided to take on my studio at the Torpedo Factory Art Center solo. My studio partner of many years has decided to sublet in other studios, so this leaves me with the decision to take my studio on alone for a couple of months and determine if it is do-able.

Believing in your creative work and gambling to see if your artistic endeavors can pay off is always the dream of many creatives, Sometimes solitude gives you the space to create un-interrupted and the flow of creativity can change and be altered.

There are a lot of changes going on at the Art Center, New artists arriving, another round of re-jurying of current artists, and the departure of many long time artists is happening within the building. So tensions are high, and many changes are occurring.

Change , for many is difficult butt sometimes necessary….For better or worse, it is a fact that everyone must adapt and take on the decisions with that come to us in the art community.This will help us to grow and maybe shift our focus in our work.

Working in front of the public isn’t the easiest aspect of being at the Art Center, stop and go is part of the routine to welcome art admirers and clients as you work through the current work at hand. Being a monkey in a cage, is not for every artist but providing the public the possibility of seeing the work process, and inspiring other part-time artists is important to show that it is possible.It also gives you the possibility to SEE the reaction of viewers to new work…..

This coming year, I will have to re-jury into the Art Center and have to be able adapt and prepare for the jurying. As my studio partner moves out after years of sharing a studio, I will be able to re-define the space and better utilize the walls and space to show the paths of creativity in 2D and 3D in ceramics, mix-media and illustration. Exciting and scary at the same time, hoping in the end that the added financial burden will pay off…

Will keep you all posted as things evolve……

thehornypotter

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Product Variations for the Holiday Season

As Summer is drawing to a close, and most of us are thinking about preparation for the Holiday seasons, Many of you creatives have to keep in mind that updating your work for the Holidays is important to show growth in new directions, and to test out new lines of work to see the new possibilities of financial gain in new directions of work.

I have often seen when returning to holiday shows of friends and researching new venues, that some creatives always have the same objects for sale as they did in previous seasons.Same merch, with maybe a slight variation in color but same old same old product with nothing new on the horizon. In order to increase sales and grow your audience of new admirers of your work, you need to give a bit of new product variation to your setup whether online or at a Holiday show….This is vitally important to give yourself the opportunity to have new work for existing clients and to test out the waters on newer lines of work, see the public’s reaction in order to draw some conclusions to your artistic strife after the holidays are over, and for future shows.

Begin with what has been financially successful in the past and modify existing size or format, offering high quality reproduction alternatives for gifting during the holidays and try out some new directions to test out your current audience of admirers. Diversify price points with newer work, and allow yourself a bit of room to decide the what should be the right prices for newer work and older work that has remained in your inventory.

Too many artists produce one size, one style, one or two color variations of past work and never think about WHY the do not sell as much as before, Think about different categories of art consumers, how to attract younger patrons that are on a budget while providing newer work in format and style to returning patrons. After the Labor Day holidays, many are starting to shop and you need to know that your social media entries need to be up to date so that your audiences can plan to see what you are working on, and pre-purchase work that is still a #WIP(work-in progress). The Online reality will hit many of you as the holidays near, that is now part of the game. Without an online presence, it will be difficult to reach a vaster audience.

Plan and choose wisely, provide several price points for your admirers and also allow yourself room to”Grow” artistically and also to grow a bigger audience to your creative endeavors…..

All for now, thehornypotter