We wanted to share a wonderful article from Artsy.

We wanted to share a wonderful article from Artsy. There are several lessons to take away from what transpired.

 

When I first learned that Seth Rogen had taken up ceramics, I was amped. As an aspiring ceramicist, it was gratifying to see a Hollywood star spreading the gospel of ceramics. And as an editor who focuses on creativity, it was inspiring to see such a celebrity promoting creativity’s therapeutic powers. I was dismayed, but not surprised, when Twitter trolls came for Rogen, viciously attacking his sweet vases and ashtrays. But I was more dismayed that there was a need to assess whether or not his ceramics are “good.”

Rogen debuted his ceramic creations in mid-April on Instagram. An avid ashtray collector, he posted an image of small, shiny smoking receptacles he made, suggesting he’d enrolled in a ceramics class to learn to craft them. But it was in late May that his pottery started making waves.

 

First, GQ published a profile on the actor-comedian, in which he discussed his newfound hobby. When the writer Caroline McCloskey joined Rogen at a Los Angeles ceramics studio, he sang ceramics’ praises while throwing a pair of ashtrays. “There’s something that’s so therapeutic about it,” he told McCloskey. “It’s like yoga, if you got a thing at the end. If you were doing yoga and then some object was produced at the end of it.” The following week, he shared a tweet and Instagram post, with an image of six ceramic pots, each one adorned with dainty blooms, and the caption “I made these little vases.”

 

When some of the actor and comedian’s 8 million Twitter followers caught sight of his pots, several took it as an opportunity to intone Rogen’s reputation as a stoner. One wrote “You put the pot in pottery,” while others drew comparisons between the vessel shapes and bongs. But there was also an eruption of positivity—users deemed the vessels “beautiful,” “cute,” and “pretty.” Others shared their own pottery or celebrated the art form; “ceramics is the greatest!” one cheered. Twitter being Twitter, there were haters, too. One of the more popular negative reactions to Rogen’s pots called them “adequate” and “tasteless.” Rogen replied to the tweet, “I’m doing my best.” And that’s exactly the point.

 

Making ceramics is not easy. Anyone who’s ever spent time with a lump of clay on a pottery wheel knows that the process comes with myriad challenges—from centering the clay, to getting it off the wheel intact, to finding peace with the reality that your pot could explode in the kiln.

 

As I’ve written before, we’re living in an age when it can feel incredibly daunting to pick up a hobby, as Rogen did. It’s no longer enough to leisurely pursue running or cooking or knitting. It can feel impossible or pointless to do something just for fun, in a mediocre way. We’re pressured to accomplish milestones, hone our skills, and document the progress on Instagram. Because of this, it’s difficult to wrap our minds around the idea of making art that’s not “good.” But you don’t have to master painting or pottery or any other hobby to reap the benefits of practicing it.

In a September 2018 op-ed in the New York Times about a recent decline of hobbies, author and Columbia University law professor Tim Wu suggested that the daunting nature of hobbies is pushing people to sink their time into social media and streaming TV and movies instead. And as a result, they’re missing out on the virtues of leisure activities; they can make us happier, calm, empathetic, and more creative.

 

When it comes to making art, research has suggested that such activities can improve our mental health. But even so, the fear of making something inadequate that our peers might find ugly or pathetic is very real. For many, this traces back to childhood—a teacher or classmate who poked fun at our earnest scribbles. To get over that hurdle is a matter of trying new things, landing on something you enjoy, and pursuing it regularly. That’s not to say you won’t feel vulnerable in the process—you probably will.

 

This is why Rogen’s “adequate” ceramics are so great. Intentionally or not, the actor was telegraphing a message to millions of people: that it’s possible to make art in a leisurely way; that trying your best is all that’s required; and that it’s therapeutic. By condemning his ceramics, or even just picking them apart, we’re making it far less likely for others to want to pick up creative hobbies of their own.

 

Casey Lesser is Artsy’s Lead Editor, Contemporary Art and Creativity.

 

Here is the article on their site

 

Make a truly unique piece of pottery – from your own original piece of art! 

Whether it’s a black-and-white sketch, color drawing or hand-written recipe, it can be transferred onto pottery.

Preparing your original art: we HIGHLY recommend you make a color copy of the original artwork and bring THE COPY into the studio. You do NOT need the original to create an art transfer.

 

The process of transferring the artwork to a piece of pottery takes just a few steps:

  1. Place the carbon paper under the copy of your design (do not use the original), making sure the carbon side is facing down
  2. Place the design/caron paper on your pottery. To prevent your design from shifting or moving while you trace, you can tape down the design (still hold it firmly while you trace)
  3. Using a blue or red ball point pen, firmly trace over the lines of your design. You do not need to “fill in” colored or shaded areas
  4. When you have traced over the entire design, lift the two pieces of paper to reveal purple-ish lines on your pottery (the carbon).
  5. Just like a coloring book, paint your design! The carbon lines burn away, so need to worry about “staying in the lines”

 

The project time frame and cost will depend on the size of your piece and the amount of detail.

 

What will you create?! Think gifts, anniversaries and keepsakes. Have fun with it! 

Top 5 Father’s Day gift ideas

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20, 2021! It’s time to get ready to make Dad and Grandpa the best gift ever. We’ve compiled our top gift ideas that Dad will LOVE!

#5: An ice cream bowl. So many sizes and styles to choose from to personalize this delicious gift!

Make it all about a favorite sports team colors, hobby or movie. Just make it all his!

#4: For the Grill Master. A serving platter for his backyard burgers, veggies, hot dogs and more!

He’ll proudly show off dinner on a platter with the kids handprints!

#3: Getting organized. We carry may options for his desk including pencil holders, change/key bowls, business card holders and picture frames.

His work space will be a proud reflection of artwork made with love.

 

#2: Caffeinated. Whatever energy-upping drink he enjoys daily, it’s always better in a hand painted mug!

#1: Time with the family! An afternoon spent creating together is priceless.

Whether it’s safely in the studio or at home, creating together is so much more than painting pottery. It’s making amazing memories!

All Fired Up is committed to its high safety standards. We require masks in the studio for the safety of our staff and customers.

Pottery to-go is always an option if you prefer painting at convenience at home. THANK YOU for your support!