Beauty for a Weary World

life of a pottermaking a living as a potter

Feb 7

In a world increasingly burdened by hateful rhetoric, the beauty of nature and art serve as a counterbalance, reminding us of the tranquility that exists beyond the divisive language from our so called leaders.

As an artist I constantly ask myself, is what I do important work for our weary world? Should I give up? Should I keep going? As I enter the last third of my life I realize more and more that I should not give up… the world needs beauty.

I imagine what my days would be like without my favorite poets - Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, and E.E. Cummings. What if they gave up? I’m sure they questioned their profession at times… but thankfully they kept going. They wrote even in the hard times, not just the good times. I thank God they did, because their work helps to sustain so many others, for generations to come.

It takes discipline to keep up the daily practice of being any kind of full time artist especially when the world is crumbling around you.

I have chosen to keep bringing beauty into the world, even though most days lately I want to scream from the rooftops to stop the madness, hate and lies. I’m making art because it fills my days, calms me, and at the same time energizes me. When I don’t make art I am not the same person.

I’m hoping that me doing what I am called to do in this life will somehow translate to your everyday life. I hope my pottery can invite you to slow down, encourage moments of reflection, appreciate the little things, and reconnect with the beauty that exists in everyday rituals.