Orange Monster Hat
13 x 8.5 x 6 in
stoneware paperclay, underglazes, glazes
2024
private collection
There’s a big difference between the first time you do something
and the second time,
or the fifth
or the 20th
The first time you are a bundle of nerves
You are not sure what to expect.
You sweat a lot
You question yourself:
why am I doing this?
Your throat tightens
there are butterflies in your stomach
you can find it hard to breathe.
There is only one first time
And it might go smoothly
or it might be chaotic
and stumbly.
It might be full of embarrassing moments
but once it’s over
it’s over
And the next time
is your second time
and you build on
what you learned from your first time.
Before you know it
It’s your twelfth time
then your 20th
you are calm and efficient.
You know what you are doing
you might change things up a bit
(to keep things exciting)
you may even experiment
and take some risks
Because you are confident.
You know what you are doing
and most importantly:
Why