New-York tribune., 1898-10-02
THEOUTLOOK FOR CERAMISTS
SUCCESS FROM A COMMERCIAL STAND
POINT IS ASSURED TO EAR
NEST WORKERS.
THOSE WHO LOVE ART FOR ITS OWN SAKE WILL
FIND POTTERY TO BE THE MOST PERMA-

The most important and impressive Characteristic
presented by ceramics is its absolute permanehce
OF color and truly II an artist has anything worth
recording it seems of great importance that that
record should be made In as permanent way as
possibIe Mineral color fired and incorporated with
the glaze. on clay body is the one unchaheins
expression of color. Not moisture nor heat nor cod
nor the sunlight OF a thousand years VIII serve 10
change or vary In the mnutest degree that which
fire has fixed.
Artists generally are inclined 10 feel tnat they
would be handicapped In their expression through
this medium Perhaps It is felt that clay forms
merely having form, be that form vase tile or
plaque-are something of barrier TO spontaneous
deveIonment But on the other hand these forms
in and OF themselves frequently Suggest ana i"''e
an expression or treatment. Then again some OF
our coworkers have hesitated in giving their sym
nathv because this branch has been looked upon
as capable OF receiving only conventional treatment
On the contrary the porcelain surface is most
elastic In its generous invitation both TO artist ana
artisan to the face worker and to the conven-
tionally trained hand
One NAV give expression to the freest and broad
est thought perfectly untrammeled or on the
other hand may demonstrate to nicely or perfec-
t,on his skill in technical work. purely mechanical
work or indeed, these classes may be combined with
great satisfaction in one production surely no
other surface offers more alluring diversions than
this AS of fact, porcelain Is most re-
sponsive to sympathetic treatment
In viewing this art not from decorative nut
from an artistic standpoint from that broader field
which encourages all spontaneous EXPRESSION u
presents great possibilities. To the artisan II pre-
sents field full of scientific and mechanical prop
lens which are ever open to solution He may
have his fullest sway. II he cares TO take advan-
tage OF the numerous opportunities in the fusing OF
metals or in the etching OF forms and designs with
acids AS yet these conventional suggestions smack
Of the factory. a word despised by the American
decorator. II is TO be hoped that this American
decorators individual growth VIII be assured oe
fore factories take possession OF the Gays OF our
country This factory influence is what we are
trying To shake off what we trying TO outgrow.
II has been the direct cause of keeping artsls
generally from coming into the Held some Oh oui
better-traned artists. quite in distinction lro'"
artisans are recognizing the enlarging possiph'les
in its growth. and its freedom from restraints
which have been so long and so wrongly attrio-
uted to II.
GOOD WORKERS NEEDED.
"What we need is good workers students well
trained IN our best art schools The china painter
is fast learning that his position Is measureu anu
settled by his actual knowledge Of art principles
This is as it should be- Among those VINO frequent
the ceramic studios of NewYork there are no more
welcome students than those who come from the
Ieaq,Ie and from the schools of APPLIED arts, 70
gain technical knowledge which they wish 10 ap-
piy in their own way Yearly we note that 'he
workers who are gaining ground are those VINO are
properly equipped those who are trained 10 sc"
broadly to have the largest idea OF the unfodihs
of the power intrusted to them. We need students
Of strong personality of boldness OF expression OF
snontaneous enthusiasm. These will leave an I'M
pression and gain the respect or the whoie "ofi'
for our art To be sure, we nave fe" OF sucH
workers-too few as yet, so that they staho OUT
pre-eminenty In ceramic circes-who prov" 10 US
the absolute Importance not only of general art
att
these a happy enthusiasm born OF love Tor the
work
We almost make plea to the overcrowded ranks
of other professional lines. perhaps TO those VINO
ordinarily enter illustrative and designing neds'
and show our hand by dropping bait in the shape
Of commercial opportunity The valuation that
can he placed and held upon the work Of our fore
most ceramists compares well with similar produc-
tions in other mediums There is need IN every
large town of good teachers, trained peyohu
the degree of local development. We need earnest
workers of understanding and of individuality
THE SUCCESSFUL ONES.
The women who have been most successful in
ceramics from a financial standpoint have been
those who were primarily teachers. The college,
hrad eirl with the allround knowledge such ad
vantage should have given her. supplemented by
course in art should be better teacher ana pro-
duce better things than would oe possible 10 her
without this training. The girl who wishes TO THOR
oughly equip herself for ceramic painting seeing
IN n a field for earning money should first choose
tho stvle OF work she wishes 10 take up, theh NJ
herself for IT, Should painting prove more attract
I've than purely decorative work. the same knoWl-
edge Of perspective. drawing and composition VIII
he required that is necessary to an artist VINO uses
oil or water color as a means or expression ihls
Is best supplied by regular course in an art insti-
into n decorative painting be the choice course
in designing will be admirable, requiring from one
n three years during which time oil porcelains
NAV ne made a special outside course OF reading.
Intervals during the regular school course may
be used in either case to gain knowledge OF the
variety and quality Of porceains the use OF min
era colors and the art OF liking these coiors Win
fire
For girl thus equipped and possessing the enthu-
s,osm for her chosen profession that every sue
cessful teacher must have bespeak success. lf
Won are not possessed of to take such
course YOU will need TO make your start In pr-
yae studio, along the lines or advice given iater
on To the teacher who must in a short time be
hreadwinner Even under these conditions 1t is
possible to be successful You VIII be happy IN
choosing this art that appeals generally TO the
naturally refined taste OF the American woHlah
Her wishes are to be mainly considered, for 1t Is
she who will be almost exclusively your buyer ana
YOUR student In either case give her the pest art
she can appreciate, yet do not fail TO give her wnat
she wishes in preference to what you think she
ought 10 have For instance, II you are convinced
that table service should have only conventional
ornament do not be determined 10 decorate such
service only In this way. Rather weave your Gus
toners ideas and preferences into your convention
al structure seeking 10 win by degrees what you
would surely fall to win by forcing your own ideas
where they are not understood and cannot yet be ap-
preciated Do not lose sight Of the fact that you
have chosen a profession to succeed from hnan-
cial standpoint Therefore do not try to be great
reformer, but rather try 10 be helpful 10 all who
cona m vou meeting each individual wish and put
ting yourself in sympathy with your patron and
your student.
THE CLASS OF STUDENTS.
The American woman as a student will come 10
ycu for knowledge OF art that will be TO her
possibly a pleasant pastime. possibly a means OF
10