Category Archives: Ceramics

The potter’s place

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Carter Gillies

Something I had written a few years ago: “Being a potter isn’t a ‘job’. It’s being the nexus of a very special community that forms to create and sustain beauty in the humble corners of daily life. Every time you … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Beauty, Ceramics, Creative industry, Creativity, Imagination, Pottery | Leave a comment

Pottery sale this weekend (!)

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Carter Gillies

I am almost done glazing and firing for the sale this weekend at my studio! If the rain holds off today I will get the last load in and be able to start cleaning the studio (don’t want to kick … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ceramics, Clay, Pottery | 3 Comments

Six Friends show at AKAR

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Carter Gillies

If you know me you know that I don’t do a lot of self promotion here on the blog (This is a guy who as a kid used to hide under the table as his friends sang Happy Birthday to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceramics, Pottery | 4 Comments

“What gets you up in the morning?” and other wisdom from the Linda Christianson workshop, acts one and two

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Carter Gillies

A few weekends ago I had the good fortune to attend a workshop offered by Linda Christianson. She is not a stranger to me. She was, in fact, my teacher back in the day. Could that really have been almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Arts education, Ceramics, Creative industry, Creativity, Imagination, metacognition, Pottery | 2 Comments

Is this an artist’s statement I should give to the folks at AKAR?

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Carter Gillies

Hello virtual brain trust! I need your opinion. I need to give an artist’s statement and in the state I’m in I don’t really want to talk about my own work. I don’t want to make it personal until I … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ceramics, Creative industry, metacognition, Pottery | 12 Comments

The Completionist

Posted on October 8, 2016 by Carter Gillies

I had a realization last week: I am a completionist. What I mean by that is that its not in my nature to get much satisfaction by leaving things half done. Sometimes its unavoidable, but when I have a choice … Continue reading →

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Don’t be a tool

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Carter Gillies

Just some things to consider: A friend picked up one of those fancy Sherrill Do-All trimming tools for me and the different design made using it as if I were almost a novice potter again. I have been so familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceramics, Clay, Creativity, Imagination, metacognition, Pottery | 2 Comments

Why art needs stories

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Carter Gillies

If you go back and read what I’ve blogged the last several months you may see the signs of a story being told. Several stories, perhaps, and that in itself is a story. At least, I have attempted to describe … Continue reading →

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Repost: Defensive potting

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Carter Gillies

Defensive Potting: The story of Michael Simon’s evolution out of the round Posted on July 31, 2013 by Carter Gillies So I just got back From the Michael Simon gallery talk at the exhibition of his work, “Pick of the Kiln’, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Beauty, Ceramics, Clay, Creative industry, Creativity, Pottery, Teaching | 1 Comment

Repost: Is the value of art a material object?

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Carter Gillies

First posted August 16th, 2012 as “Is the value of pottery a material object?” (See the comments there for some good discussion. Feel free to add a new thread here 🙂 ) ———————————————————- The funny thing I’ve noticed in my time … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Arts advocacy, Arts education, Beauty, Ceramics, Creative industry, Creativity, Imagination, metacognition, Pottery, Teaching | 4 Comments