.Utility is Useless Without the User.

I will be apart of Thursday, October 3rd's Brave New Art World and River North Art Walk.
This performance will take place outside.
Taking it to the Street.
EXCITING.
 

“I do not consider pots finished when they emerge from the kiln, but only when they have been christened with their first mouthful.”– Sandy Brown

         Utility is Useless without the User is an interactive pottery performance piece.   Pottery is not intended to be an idle pedestal piece; it is made to be used and enjoyed.  I will have forty 6-ounce vessels that incorporate a bell chamber[1] on display. Participants choose a cup and I fill their cup with water.  After they celebrate the moment, they may take their vessel home or I place the cup in a canvas bag and break the cup.  

           

       I am a child of the eighties brought up in the boom of the nineties and graduated college during the recession.  “The more one can get for less is best” became the motto.  America consumes bubbled-wrapped products from outsourced and often exploited factory workers, not knowing their faces, hands, and way of life.  During my performance, I want people to have chance to put a face and personality to the vessel in their hand and enjoy a one of-a-kind product.  Handmade pottery is about being with people and engaging with them in the material world.   
          
          Destroying any vessel does not mean death but rebirth. The shards will be donated to a community mosaic program.

...And some will make my mosaic urn...obviously.

On a side note:
It is a metaphor for life.  There are moments when one will think, "Wow, I love to blank!" With passion and dedication they strive and work diligently to fulfill their goals but ....it doesn't work out.
Alone in a mental mist their dusk begins. 
...Finding footing in unknown scenery...
They fall.
They tumble.
They break.

At least I did.  

But, you stand. 
You mend.
You walk to the dawn.

And you learn how to live a different life in a new light. 

---

[1] My drinking vessels include a chamber in the foot of the pot that makes a chiming noise when used.

Photos by Emiley Smith Photography.
http://emileysmith.com

E.T.S.Y. ! spells Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashleylinpottery

.Crossing the Atlantic.

I am going to France. ..what..!!?? Ya. I know.
I am extremely excited to see the sights, be emerced in parisian culture, eat the food, and be a dumb American that does not know the language. I am too excited.
Plus!! This is Happening..

/http://www.revelations-grandpalais.com/en/

Oh.My.Gosh.

I leave in less than Six Hours. 

I need to pack..

.The SouthWest Winds feel Dirty.

It is gross outside.
But, in my studio, all is well.
And, I always have friends with me.

I cleaned it. Last week.

...Just kidding, I clean twice a week. ...seriously.

 Bowl Bounty.

 My Muses. Mozart and Michelle Moode. One of those M's is a real hard ass and I hear those tunes in my head a good bit. Hint. The M is dead.

(http://www.millionsofpeoplehappy.blogspot.com/)

 Tristan Wright has Etching skills.
 (http://www.tristanwright.wordpress.com/)

 Lady Jessica Tyler's Teeth print. I like her roots. She's a good one.
(http://www.jesstyler.com/)

 Myra K's screen print that I've had for almost eight years! She was one of my two mentors in undergrad.

 My new Alley Cat. Made by my husband.

 My stamp is working well. I really like the look is has. It is really saving me signature time!

 

JD Richey. ..He has incredible skills.. 

   

Me. Basking in the natural light.