Claiming the title of “artist”(one day).

A woman approached me in Spruce, my mother's store, where I sell my pottery. " Your art is wonderful!” she said to me. For a moment, I was confused and sure she was mistaking me for someone else.

“My pottery you mean?” I asked. “Yes!” she exclaimed.

I can truly say that was the first time I thought of my pottery as art. I have always viewed it as a functional hobby. One in which I create pieces I either love or hate but at the very least they work.

I am still a ways away from introducing myself as a ceramic artist however, perhaps I am on a path towards it.

I recently had the opportunity to create and work on an artist residency program for my company. We selected five artists, and we all met in NYC for a week of inspiration and creativity. It was inspiring to see these five artists describe their process and so unabashedly claim the term “artist.”

My boss kept telling them" “Marie won’t say it but she does pottery herself!”.

I haven’t found my voice yet when it comes to my pottery - I think once I do I will have more to say about it.

Until then I will continue experimenting, taking classes, and being inspired by others.