Thank you all so much for the kind comments, it's reassuring to know I'm not alone, I'm only sorry that so many of you feel like this too.
I still feel pretty rubbish, but it will pass soon I hope.
Anyway, I'm not going to moan on tonight. I want to show you what I've been doing today, then I'm off to bed because I'm exhausted.
Anyway, I'm not going to moan on tonight. I want to show you what I've been doing today, then I'm off to bed because I'm exhausted.
After a difficult start to the day, I gradually began to feel a bit better and as the day went on I kept myself busy, finishing off these big pots.
A photographer friend came by. We're working on a project together which I'll tell you more about in due course. I enjoyed her company and we achieved some really good stuff.
I'm afraid you'll have to wait to see her work, the pictures below are my rather less sophisticated snap shots.
A photographer friend came by. We're working on a project together which I'll tell you more about in due course. I enjoyed her company and we achieved some really good stuff.
I'm afraid you'll have to wait to see her work, the pictures below are my rather less sophisticated snap shots.
I should be feeling more excited about these pots than I am, they've kept me going, I think that they might be some of the best pots I've made.
Tomorrow, I'm decorating a cider jar which is for an order. Once it's finished, I'll need to start making again.
I have some ideas of the things I'd like to make, so I'm going to throw myself in to my work with full vigour and try not lose any momentum.
These pots are for an exhibition in Castlegate House Gallery in Cockermouth, Cumbria, which opens next month.
This one is a 14lb jug
Wet slip, as ever, is the best stage of the process.
The two jugs in the foreground are 16 lb. I tried to make them as fat as I could.
There are a couple of little films here. The first is edited highlights from today, the second is an unedited film of drawing grasses on to the 14 lb jug
I have some ideas of the things I'd like to make, so I'm going to throw myself in to my work with full vigour and try not lose any momentum.
These pots are for an exhibition in Castlegate House Gallery in Cockermouth, Cumbria, which opens next month.
Well I must get some sleep.
It was a real surprise to me that so many people read my post yesterday and I'm greatly touched by the things you said, thank you all for kind words of support, I appreciate it very much.
Goodnight
Hey Doug:
ReplyDeleteSomehow your blog pops up on my blog roll randomly and sometimes consistently so sometimes I miss it! I blog with a woman here in NC, never met her but we are friends through the blog world and she wrote today about depression also. Her blog is Ornamental if you want to read it, she makes amazing jewelry. Anyway, like I told her, when my daughter was a little girl she brought home a paper she had written at school. She was telling about her parents. She went on to describe her dad as a photojournalist and what wonderful things he did, and then when she described me she said "my mom likes to lay in bed". That was my wake up call. I had been depressed and sort of wallowing in self pity for awhile and didn't even really know it, I was just numb. But seeing myself through my child's eyes showed me the person I did not want to be. I have written about being a child of an alcoholic on my blog, and I have my own issues with that. But I think all artists struggle with this dark side. Apparently that's when the really good art comes out, haha! I think it just takes so much to get this art out of us, it takes a toll mentally. I know so many artists who suffer from these dark spells, including me. I have an artist friend who tried to commit suicide recently due to severe depression, but luckily he is on meds and getting therapy. It's scary, but I think having a blog and being able to write it down and throw it out to the Universe is the best thing ever. Bloggers are so helpful some days!
Take care. I'm with you on the kid in college thing. Mine is in her second year and she calls a couple of times a week, so we are lucky. We don't call her though. You are right, they have to have some space.
Take care, I'm thinking about you!!!
Hi Doug, I am hapy you are feeling better, you are very courageous to write to the world. You are un exemple for me, for being able to live a potter life and so friendly, you are very nice, really. I tried to do it but I am not able to work hard, so I decided to stop professionnal work and go back to an "amateur" work. My son is away, working in Africa and living in Asia, I didn't see him since nearly one year, well yes they have to live their life.
ReplyDeleteBon courage et meilleurs voeux de Bretagne
You are brave to tell the world but the support here is so strong for you. I feel it must help. Does it?
ReplyDeleteTake time for yourself, be brave sweet man, take care.
Dear Tracey, Armelle and Anon
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your messages It means a lot to me that you took the time to write, thank you. x