Finding Focus: Ceramicist Sarah Hillman writes on getting back into the swing of things
After a long break away from my Cockpit studio over Christmas, getting back into the creative swing is proving testing. After 3 months of relaxing and exploring the wonders of the world I find that I am inspired with new ideas and am itching to put them into practice; however this isn’t as straight forward as it seems.
I initially deal with the immediate tasks. Finding out how Christmas shows have gone, assessing stock at outlets and seeing where the demand lies.
It transpires that it has been a quiet Christmas, is the recession still having an impact? Has the work got a bit stale? These questions fill my mind and make me even more determined to implement my new ideas.
As is the way in the world of a designer-maker, we always have to think several months in advance. Having not been thinking further than the day ahead for some time I am now struck with the task of intense planning.
This is where I decide my attention should lie initially to get myself back on track. With the expected build up to the busy season of autumn/Christmas, I am forced to think about show applications even though these seem a long way off. If I am to succeed in implementing my new ideas for the applications I need to be quick off the mark in getting initial plans realised and inevitable making hurdles resolved.
Then of course I need to think about photography, marketing and press. All this seems like a lot to try and achieve within 4 to 6 weeks. The clock is ticking……I better order some clay!
About the Author
Based at Cockpit Arts, Holborn ceramic artist Sarah Hillman creates striking contemporary sculptures for domestic and corporate settings. Influenced by the purity of Modernism Sarah’s distinctive, organic forms explore positive and negative space through a changing composition of line, colour and contour. Each piece is made in pure white clay and is hand cut with sweeping curves to reveal a bold, colourful and vibrant interior. www.sarahhillmanceramics.com
You can see Sarah’s work at Cockpit Arts’ Open Studios this summer on 11-13 June 2010 read more about Open Studios
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