Friday, September 23, 2011

Working...

I've had quite the absence from the old bog. I would first like to apologize to those I encouraged to follow this blog. I have simply been overwhelmed with more pressing responsibilities and this blog was the first to go. I still follow some pottery related blogs, hoping to keep my toe in the water, but I have found that writing about my career as a potter has been put on the back burner. We as a country are struggling financially, and many of us, individually, are as well. This means that we need to work more, sell more, and care more for our immediate needs. Our families are what is most important. We need to keep things in perspective. I have been working lately like I have never worked before. There is no, or very little, recreation. I work every moment I can, knowing that I need to provide for my family. This is how it has to be right now. Its been said around the campfire, that those who are kicking ass in their profession aren't necessarily writing about it. Why? Well, because they are working their ass off. Well, I'm not sure I'm kicking ass these days, but I do know that I am working my ass off. That's what it takes. I wonder if this is the last blog post. Honestly, with other social media outlets, the blog seems a little unnecessary. Right? It seems like the blogs peaked a year ago, and now are dying. Of course there are a few great blogs to follow, but in general they all show up on facebook anyway. I will still follow my blog roll and those blog rolls on the blogs I follow. However, again, I usually see them on 'networked blogs' on Facebook before I get to the actual blog page. What do you think? I'll leave you with a photo of what motivates me to work like crazy....my children.



12 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

these are trying times indeed and even with no children at home we are finding it increasingly difficult to make a living.
I still blog and find there are still readers.
And we still work like mad in hopes that folks will continue to buy pots.
Don't give it up if you can, but we all have to do what we are able.

Kyle Carpenter said...

I'm not necessarily giving up on the blog, just explaining why I haven't posted since April.

Tracey Broome said...

I really miss your blog as well as others that have moved over to Facebook. I REALLY don't like Facebook, I find it boring and not creative at all and sort of childish with all of the "liking" and trivial comments. I think blogging is a much more creative outlet and Facebook just seems mindless. Just my opinion, not the opinion of most out there, clearly! Anyway, I don't do Facekbook, so I miss seeing blogs that aren't staying current. Sorry you are having to work so much, I hear ya, but as a mom that just had her child move off to college, let me tell you the time you spend with your kids is fleeting and I wish I had every moment when she was little back again! It's rough for everyone right now, but I'm hoping that all artists can make it through and people will continue to see the importance of art in our world. Best of luck to you, but take time for your kids!!!!!! Kids before blogging, definitely :)

Hollis Engley said...

I agree with Tracey, Kyle. I'm on Facebook, but very very little as a contributor. I find it confusing to follow people's work that way. It seems ridiculous to put it this way - the blogs may be slightly "old-fashioned," but they are a direct way of getting at one individual's work and thoughts. Facebook always strikes me as a jumble. I know things evolve. What the hell, I spent a career in newspapers and look where that has gone. But I urge you not to give up the blog. I love your work and like hearing (and seeing) what you have to say.

Kyle Carpenter said...

well, I've always used the blog and facebook for marketing purposes, primarily. Writing a blog takes so much more time and reaches less people. My whole point to this post was to say that I don't have time for it currently. I can post one image on facebook and get 1000 people to see it, easily. While some might think FB is immature, I think it's an incredible tool for marketing my work. The blog seems to only get fellow potters from around the world reading it. I want to reach others who may not normally go to a pottery blog site.

Anonymous said...

I think Facebook is wonderful - if you suffer from ADD. I do check it for friends I can't contact other ways, but it makes my brain hurt, like it has been chopped into parts and scattered. Kinda like eating too much lead (or the 'taters at Waffle House). Blog entries usually are more thoughtful and informative. I get a better sense of the person and their work. There are some blogs on (in?) which I reread certain entries, and I almost prefer they don't post too often as it gives me time to reflect on their most recent words.

It is rough times for many, and I see more personal stories reflecting this. Hopefully, changes in the system will come and we'll all begin to benefit. Thanks for your words, love your work - I direct people to it all the time, and have a cup, used almost daily. Regards - naomi

Tracey Broome said...

I hear ya on the number of people you can reach on Facebook, but I just have a hard time following people on it, to me blogging is like a personal journal, a creative display of an artist and their process and I enjoy people's blogs so much. Facebook is just what it says it is- social network, and I am not into social networking unless it's having lunch with a good friend. That could be one of the many reasons you are way more successful than I am :) Don't get me wrong, I'm not slamming people that choose Facebook, just saying it's not my thing, so I miss out on what a lot of folks are doing, for example, Jen Mecca, totally lost touch with her because she is on Facebook more than blogging now... oh well, I was probably the last person on Earth to accept the fact that you couldn't buy an album anymore and I had to buy a CD player, now look, my daughter buys more vinyl than CD's, so it all comes back around doesn't it?!
Anyway, best of luck to you with wherever your path may take you, you make beautiful work!!!

FetishGhost said...

I'm positive a lot of people (potters, collectors. and buyers included) feel connected to you and your work from watching your career grow over the past few years. You've generously shared a bit of the back stories that moves a craftsman's hands day to day. Having just the small illusion of not walking this path alone has helped me grow as a studio artist too. If given the chance meeting, I personally would walk up to you to shake your hand with a big smile on my face, enjoying the feeling of seeing an old studio mate.
Kids and work come first... don't stop uploading photos though please, we still like to see what's going on behind the studio door.

Joy Tanner said...

I hear you Kyle, we've been working like crazy lately too, trying to keep up, and in this last year I've slowed down on having time to blog, as well as finding myself having limited time on the computer, which is kind of nice! My posting seems to come in spurts lately, and sometimes unfortunately it's about upcoming shows rather than more personal thoughtful entries. Yet in the past I have enjoyed blogging as a chance to reflect on my creative thoughts, and it does also feed into facebook so that way I'm getting both groups of readers.

Hope to run into you soon if we aren't busy at the same time, it's been a while!

Cusla said...

I will follow your blog, Hollis' blog, Traceys' blog, and ANY potter that keeps blogging.
No Facebook for me.

shadow may studios said...

Kyle, keep on truckin bud. Your love and dedication for your family will give you all the love and motivation to keep makin awsome work. Love readin your blogs and how you share your daily livin with us. Hope to see you soon.

Shadow

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