https://www.debbykooypottery.com Thoughts about Art, Clay, Theology and Life in general. https://www.debbykooypottery.com/welcome-to-my-studio <div data-rss-type="text"> Anything new that you attempt is bound to be complicated with unfamiliar technology, and untried methods.  So much must be remembered for a new business, and so many  <span> obligations must be met!  Nobody stands looking over your shoulder to tell you what to do next or how to go about doing it.  Nobody, unless you hire a business coach, goes into business knowing what to expect.. </span> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> And "whatever comes next" is actually kind of scary.  The unknowns can make you crazy; the unknowns can make you stall out entirely.  Or, I've decided, A third alternative is that you can just play scared.  Athletes and soldiers and first responders, do that every day . . . I can too, I guess.   Starting (re-starting, actually) a business in a pandemic-stricken world is not exactly for the faint of heart.  Some will say that starting an art business in a rural, farm community might be an exercise in futility. </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> .Does anyone who is trying to survive in this economically-challenged time actually NEED wheel-thrown pottery, a craft that is just about as old as the human race itself?  Does "hand-made" have meaning anymore?  Does craftsmanship have any bearing in this culture? </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> I guess those are the questions I will need to keep asking.  Thanks for coming along.  I hope to see you soon!    </span> </div> </div> Sat, 05 Dec 2020 03:18:21 GMT 183:835080420 (Debby Kooy) https://www.debbykooypottery.com/welcome-to-my-studio thumbnail main image https://www.debbykooypottery.com/blogging-about-clay Making Something out of Nothing <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Malcolm Forbes of Forbes Magazine fame - (which I have to admit is probably not well-known in most social circles - in my experience, anyway) once said something very profound.  I have adopted his very profound statement as one of the guiding principles of my life. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> What did Malcolm Forbes say?  Glad you asked.  He said:  </span> </p> <p> <span> "I would rather create value </span> </p> <p> <span> than acquire it." </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> That's it.  A simple, profound statement that I find simply profound.  </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> Why wouldn't one want to acquire more valuable stuff?  That is the American way, is it not?  Don't we want a bigger house, a better car, a nicer yard (a nicer yard at Kooy House would certainly be a good thing, and my neighbors agree.).  don't we want . . . a boat, a vacation, a great education for our kids?  Don't we want (well, </span> </span> <span> you </span> <span> <span> fill in the blank)___________________? </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> But here is what excites the heck out of me:  I get to </span> </span> <span> CREATE VALUE </span> <span> <span> . in my job as an artist.  I get to be my own boss, yes, but that is not the point.  I am privileged to be able to take something worthless and spend some time and effort on it and create something of </span> </span> <span> value </span> <span> <span> out of it.  Every piece of clay I pick up can have real, intrinsic worth pressed into it, by the touch of my hands.  it becomes a whole new thing that never existed before, and someone on this planet will find it useful and beautiful, and he or she will want to own it.  </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> No, I don't have magic fingers, I have </span> </span> <span> skill </span> <span> ..  I have developed an ability that few people have.  I have craftsmanship that is rare, even among a lot of other potters.  It is Creative Power, given to me by my Creative Creator, in whose image I am made.  I owe it to The God of the universe (who saw value in me) to be a maker of valuable things. </span> </p> </div> Fri, 04 Dec 2020 05:00:14 GMT https://www.debbykooypottery.com/blogging-about-clay thumbnail main image