Paul Krugman, Nobel Laureate

Just have to say, hat tip to Paul Krugman, who won the Nobel Prize in economics, announced today. Wow.

I'm going to North Carolina...

Staying Energized Admidst Turmoil

The second debate is over. The Dow continues to tank. Where do we draw inspiration from in seeming dire times? Today's blog post from Seth Godin really struck a chord. He calls it "Is effort a myth?". In my business, I do nothing but work hard it seems. I chose a long time ago not to outsource. So when I make a thing and sell it, it is my effort that is being rewarded. My talent helps, but it is my effort that propels me forward.

I am working hard not to get too downtrodden by the drama queen media - CNN, MSNBC are 2 places that can really put a wet blanket on work. My new favorite commentator is Fareed Zakaria. His international affairs focus keeps the big picture in view. I also like to take the long view because otherwise, again, the darkness is always ready to fall. The long view suggests that alternative fuel is a growth industry. Education is a growth industry. Local economic develoment is a growth industry. Making things and selling them is a growth industry.

As an artist, I am often alone making work, not sure if it will be appreciated. The longer I do it, though, the more I realize that in the long run, it will be appreciated. What I do IS kind of heroic because I am doing what few dare to do. Making art for a lifetime. I have been lucky in many ways. But, Seth's post today reminds me that luck is only part of the equation. Hard work and continued focus is what will win in the end. Anybody anywhere doing anything with care, focus and quality in the effort is heroic, in my book.

technorati tags: sethgodin, fareedzakaria

Mad goes to Pittsburgh

I am heading out to conquer the midwest this weekend, or at least sell a few sets of dishes. This lovely store, Tournesol, is operated by Barbara Reilly who has become a good friend for a number of reasons. She appreciates the hand made. She is in love with the table, with sustainability, fresh local food and entertaining with spirit, soul and meaning. All told, I am looking forward to a lovely time and meeting new friends in Pittsburgh!

technorati tags: tournesol, barbarareilly, sustainability, handmade

Slow is the New Good

Resurgence Magazine is hosting "slow Sunday", encouraging participants to bake bread as an act of defiance. Sounds good to me...

technorati tags: resurgence, bread

Dots with in Dots

The world may be falling apart, but I occasionally open the kiln to find something like this which changes everything. Even if I do say so myself. ;)

technorati tags: davistudio, handmade, fineporcelain

Art and Money

Sotheby’s

“Ascended,” a Damien Hirst canvas filled with colorful butterflies, sold for $4 million.

This has been an interesting week, to say the least. The bankrupting of Lehman Brothers shocked a lot of people who expected a sale or bale out. Merill Lynch, sold. AIG insurance Co. gets an $85B US(?) bale out. So much for free market economics. Thank you Mr. Friedman (Milton, that is).

At the same moment in history, artist Damien Hirst has the cahonees to sell 2 year's enterprise (work) at auction, circumventing his dealers. The take : +$200,000,000. No, that is not a mistake and the number is in today's New York Times. What I find particularly remarkable about this event is its significance as art. The auction itself is an elaborate art work which profits so many peope and can, if we choose to pay attention this way, show that all things are elusive and serve that which we chose to collectiviely grant significance. Hirst has never been my favorite artist- I found his work sensational (hah!) at best. But this feat he has pulled off is nothing short of genius and my hat is off to him this morning. Say what you will, he really did a number and the timing!

So, art doesn't imitate life. Art redefines and reorganizes how we view life. It create a whole realm for thinking to shift. Art create context which allows for all things to come from. We can know that or not. It doesn't matter because art is. And we come from that. Together. Society is a Sculpture.

technorati tags: damienhirst, josephbeuys, art, money

2 Announcements

Margaret Roach is hosting a WordPress fest in NYC Oct 5th, Wordcamp. Geez, if there is any way I can get there, I will. On another front, Chris McCormick has posted a groovy interview with yours truly on his SoCal potters blog. Check it out. A lot of good stuff in there (besides me).

chris mccormick

technorati tags: awaytogarden, socalpotters, chrismccormick, margaretroach

chris mccormick

oh yes, this is true

Robert Anton Wilson

bespoke manufacturing is the holy grail

I have been reading this blog post on and off for the past couple of weeks. Zeroinfluencer aka David Bousola is an interesting thinker working in branding world, writing some very good stuff on his blog.

The plate above is the product of a bit of light play - Amrita at Tinku Gallery in Toronto sent me a picture of her very cool spotted walls and I made a plate sample, pink dots on taupe. I like it. It is a combo I might not of thought of but now I think I will make a big one. What I see is thought flow. Her bathroom, sparks my thought, I can make a quick sample, like it, make again, bigger. Bespoken manufacturing. I posted here earlier about bespoken dinnerware, and the phrase is coming up again, a new meme? Hope so. I think custom lends itself to smaller, cleaner, friendlier more wanted, more necessary, more love...

Isn't that what we are all wanting a bit more of in the world??

technorati tags: tinkugallery, zeroinfluencer, bespokemanufacture

Mad in Real Simple

I always like to post these here. Puts it somewhere I can keep track of it and brag to you. ;-)

technorati tags: davistudio, handmade, realsimple

Sol Lewitt to Eva Hesse

Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatchiiing, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning...searching, perching, besmirching, grinding grinding grinding away at yourself. stop it and just DO...trust and tickle something inside you, your "weird humor." you belong in the most secret part of you. don't worry about cool, make your own uncool...if you fear, make it work for you -- draw and paint your fear and anxiety. and stop worrying about big, deep things such as "to decide on a purpose and way of life..." you must practice being stupid, dumb, unthinking, empty. then you will be able to DO! i have much confidence in you and even though you are tormenting yourself, the work you do is very good. try and do some BAD work. the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell.