#dancingaboutarchetecture

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As ceramicists we are tasked with harmonizing multiple elements, both physical and metaphysical. Of the physical- form, surface, and function are of primary concern. All of the principles and elements of three-dimensional design apply to creation and analysis of the work. Like any sculptural form, the elements and principles are the language we use to discuss the artwork, how it succeeds formally, and why. It is important to have use of this vocabulary as it helps us to understand our own responses to an artwork, and the responses of others, more deeply. #arteveryday #sodafired #ceramics #artspeak #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #shelfie #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #sculpture #artcurator #ceramicsculpture #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativitycoach #porcelain #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #smallworks #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporaryceramics #leepuffer #abstractsculpture https://www.instagram.com/p/CMhnAosjoYc/?igshid=t9jhky7pjnst

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Clay is an ancient medium. Like math, ceramics is a shared language that that has no borders, no ethnicity. We are aware that humans have been interacting with clay and ceramic objects for many millennia. There is no denying this lineage. We accept that every form and function possible has probably been made before, somewhere, by someone. The goal, then, is to acknowledge this fact and innovate within that framework. Taking the vessel form as a point-of-departure for new work in clay places our contemporary practice within a continuum of shared human history. #ceramics #arteveryday #sodafired #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #ceramicvessel #pottery #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #sculpture #artcurator #ceramicsculpture #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #porcelain #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #smallworks #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporaryceramics #leepuffer #abstractsculpture https://www.instagram.com/p/CMP8F3sjBUa/?igshid=1vkqbogscftez

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As makers of things, we primarily want to make cool-looking stuff to amuse ourselves and others. The work ‘amuse’ may seem to trivialize the endeavor, but this is important work. To occupy our hands and minds to create something-that did not exist in this exact way before prior to our creating it- is powerful. And while making it, the feeling of industriousness is meaningful and valuable to the artist. There is meaning and value for the viewer as well, when a fellow human is amused on some level by the creation. For creators of useful objects, like pottery or furniture, there is the added bonus of daily physical interaction with the artwork. For painting and sculpture, there is the daily experience of surprise and wonder in the presence of the artwork. #arteveryday #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #artonpaper #artcurator #abstractpainting #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #acrylicpainting #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #worksonpaper #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporarydrawing #leepuffer #abstractpainter #artpractice #abstraction #colorstudy https://www.instagram.com/p/CL4he8DD7vV/?igshid=1qv9fly0e1aqz

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The general population thinks art-making is a pleasurable activity, and they are not entirely incorrect. Unfortunately, this perception somehow seems to diminish the importance of the work, and undervalue the artist’s efforts. There seems to be an unwritten rule that Work must be unpleasant. Like any gainful and meaningful work, making art is sometimes enjoyable, and sometimes awful. Nevertheless, we cannot deny that, as creators of beauty and experiences, our tools and materials are often quite sensual. At this moment, when touching anything other than a keyboard is rare, it’s time to reconsider the value of sensual pleasure. Paint and clay offer such tactile experiences, wet, slippery, pliable. There is movement. There is evidence of that movement. Intensely pigmented media offers a visual experience. Three-dimensional materials occupy our space, forcing us to consider our bodies. There are smells as well, linseed oil, the funk of the ceramics lab, sawdust and smoke. #arteveryday #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #artonpaper #artcurator #abstractpainting #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #acrylicpainting #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #worksonpaper #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporarydrawing #leepuffer #abstractpainter #artpractice #abstraction #colorstudy https://www.instagram.com/p/CK6nIRMjAVw/?igshid=kdm1dxlijgfe

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Every artwork starts with an idea, whether it be a painting, a poem, a performance. As the idea begins to take form as an artwork, that form must reference something the artist has experienced before. It is not possible for artists to create without an influence, no matter how obscure or minor. Sometimes the influence is obvious and acknowledged by the artist and the viewer. Sometimes the reference is mysterious, it’s origins elusive. Regardless, there is always a reference to something. Upon deeper reflection, an artist will discover/remember the reference. Sometimes the work becomes self-referential, and the origins of the original impulse is forgotten. Artists extrapolate, aggregate, and synthesize. It is in making connection between multiple influences and experiences synthesis, that original artwork is produced. Making connections is what the human mind does automatically. The artist makes this process manifest. #arteveryday #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #artonpaper #artcurator #abstractpainting #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #acrylicpainting #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #worksonpaper #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporarydrawing #leepuffer #abstractpainter #artpractice #abstraction #colorstudy https://www.instagram.com/p/CK1gueSjZql/?igshid=i9l3tojgiu4v

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If we have a successful body of work, people love it, and it sells well. If we continue to make this body of work for a period of time, you become a manufacturer, not an artist. Artists innovate. It is imperative to change and develop. Art life is progressive. While I espouse a structured approach, I am not suggesting a formula. It is a framework within which we can explore every possible permutation of an idea. As we work, the art naturally evolves. When we have exhausted the possibilities of the framework, we create new parameters for ourselves. #arteveryday #feelgood #befree #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #beyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #artonpaper #artcurator #abstractpainting #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #watercolor #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #worksonpaper #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporarydrawing #leepuffer #authenticity https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyhXqFjPAk/?igshid=386gwq3dns6w

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Preparation could also be clearing the mind of negative thoughts, preparing the body with sleep and good nutrition. Stress can be good or bad. It can drive us to produce, or it can have us spinning our wheels. Worry is not a requirement of high achievement, but without a little edge, we may not perform at our best. So preparation for important activities should involve a little edge-producing stress. We push ourselves a little and we get better results. If we were not stressed, we may not have pushed ourselves enough. Over time we figure out how much stress is necessary to produce optimal results, while not indulging ourselves in over-stress or worry. Some people who worry carry a superstition that if we don’t worry enough, bad things will happen. There is a subtle but important difference between healthy, performance-enhancing stress, and superstitious worry. #arteveryday #feelgood #befree #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #beyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #artonpaper #artcurator #abstractpainting #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #watercolor #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #worksonpaper #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporarydrawing #leepuffer #authenticity https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqvB49D9ho/?igshid=1if5liasn0wcj

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In order to overdeliver, we must prepare. When we prepare for an event or activity beforehand, we can be more in-the-moment for that activity itself. Preparation can mean many things. I like tangible evidence of time spent. I want something to show for my effort; an object, presentation, or document. The artistic process requires a bit of production-less percolation, however. Mulling things over, playing with an idea, gathering materials. We plant the seed of the idea in our minds and let the sub-conscious work on while we sweep the floor. Or in my case, avoid sweeping the floor. Drawing is a good way to avoid floor sweeping while freeing the subconscious to do its work. I don’t think it matters what we draw. It may relate to the activity we are preparing for, it may not. The bonus is- there’s tangible evidence of time spent. #arteveryday #feelgood #befree #writingaboutart #dancingaboutarchetecture #icanhelpyou #beyou #makemeaning #makeitmeaningful #meaningmatters #makeart #artistlife #sculpture #artcurator #ceramicsculpture #contemporaryart #creativehappylife #creativelifehappylife #creativitycoach #porcelain #figurativeabstraction #artlife #markmaking #makeyourmark #smallworks #artconsultant #studiopractice #contemporaryceramics #leepuffer #abstractsculpture https://www.instagram.com/p/CAoHFGNHSMk/?igshid=1s36ovc86u3lr