The art of saying “yes”

There is a small word that has never been in my vocabulary.  No.  But sometimes a no leads you to a magical series of yes.  My entire life I thought that saying no would close doors that I wasn't sure I should close.  Now I realize it is often opening new doors.  

 I believe that an art practice isn't built only by what we create.  It's shaped by what we choose to protect.  

 There is a temptation to say yes to everything….to every invitation, every commission, every trend, and every expectation.  But creativity rarely flourishes in a crowded schedule.  It needs quiet corners.  It needs time to wander.  It needs permission to fail before it succeeds.  

 My work begins with nothing more than a bag of clay, a passing thought, a dream, or imagined memory….it needs space to blossom.  

 I've had to practice the gentle art of saying no.  Not because I want less, but because I need to make room for more.  

 More meaningful work.  More honest ideas.  More delight.  More time in the studio doing the work that first made me fall in love with clay.   

If you've collected my sculptures, you've collected the result of those quiet choices.  Every piece carries not only the hours spent making it, but the many things I chose not to do so that it could bloom.   Sometimes the kindest thing we can say is no, because we're already saying yes to something that matters more.   

Warmly,

Sheri