We take a million snaps of our growing children, but how often do we stop to look at our own change? I loved using this session as a chance to create images of Jen as a mother and document the relationship she shares with her first child. Images that I am sure will be looked back on by her daughter, Sage, as a way to see the beautiful, young, strong woman jumping into motherhood.
"Thrown by mom, squished by Edwin."
Tamar's work has changed from fine detailed ceramics to expressive abstract shapes. Mostly due to the 3 year old wielding a paint brush or pulling off pieces of clay to add to the pile he is gathering as she works. There is also the new addition, Walter, a sweet baby boy who calls to squirm around in his mom's clay covered arms. While others would consider this a distraction and interruption from the work, Tamar encourages her families presence and participation in her creative world. Just a few hours photographing in Tamar's front yard and it became so clear. Her creativity isn't reserved for only the quiet moments she can sneak away from other responsibilities, but simply an integrated part of both her and her families everyday life. It is part of the fabric of who they are.
I went to a lecture by Ellen Davis at Luther Seminary yesterday, with the title "Land as Kin". She so beautifully laid out the relationship between humans and the soil we come from; how we should come to recognize our kinship with the earth, and the understanding of land is our oldest ancestor.
Earlier that day I had read an expert from the book "The Spirit of Clay". In it the author discussed how wonderful it is, that only basic techniques need to be acquired before you can start using clay as a creative expression of self.
Its so interesting that I stumbled into both of these messages the day after an afternoon spent photographing Molly at her wheel. When I photograph an artist at work, they have to choose between giving full attention to their work, or being aware of the camera. Because a pottery wheel really won't allow you to do both, the person quickly falls into a place of creative concentration. That is the space I am always striving to photograph from, and the images I can create from that space feel the most true.
Also the reason Molly and I connected was because I was drawn to her work (and left my number in one of her mugs!). So here is how you find it!
Her page: Molly Horton Pottery
And she lets you know when she has stocked up on inventory or what market her work will be at next on her instagram: @mollyhortonpottery
