“The Process Of Creating”
(This clip is from a longer video of me cleaning my glaze jars after wrapping up in the studio. It’s a small step, but it matters. Taking care of your tools is part of taking care of your work.)
I just finished a new piece!
There’s always a strange feeling that comes with that moment, something between pride and a quiet kind of sadness. The process of creating, of building something from an idea into a physical form, is where the most meaningful parts of the work really live. From the first spark of an idea, to shaping, refining, and finally letting it go, it’s a journey that feels just as important as the finished piece itself.
I think that’s what drives us as artists. That constant pull to keep going, to keep making, to answer the question of why we do this in the first place.
Finishing this piece gave me space to reflect. I can honestly say I worked really hard on it. Is it the best thing I’ve ever made? No… but that’s not really the point. What matters is that I stepped outside of my comfort zone. I experimented with glazing, pushed my use of shading, and explored textures and techniques I’ve never tried before. That alone makes this piece important to me.
There were definitely challenges along the way. At one point, parts of the piece cracked and broke off, and I had to carefully reattach them, hoping they would hold through the process. Moments like that can feel discouraging, but they’re also part of what makes the final outcome feel earned.
Over the past year, I’ve noticed a real shift in my work. It’s becoming more refined, more intentional and I’m really proud of that. At the same time, that level of detail means everything takes longer. It’s slowed me down in some ways, especially when it comes to applying for exhibitions and opportunities. But I keep reminding myself that growth takes time, and the work is getting closer to what I truly envision.
Right now, I’m in a moment of reset cleaning up my studio, reflecting, and thinking about what comes next.
I want to continue pushing the level of detail in my work while experimenting more with glazes. Looking ahead, I’m interested in moving toward something almost hyper-realistic, while still holding onto that organic, handmade quality. I’ve been researching other artists and gathering inspiration, and I’m hopeful that with time, I’ll reach that balance.
For now, I’ll keep showing up, keep experimenting, and keep moving forward.
Cheers
-Aubrey
