Hey! My names Daniel, Im a small time Artist and aspiring homesteader in Southern California and this is my website! Thanks for checking it out đ
Ive always loved creative problem solving and artistic expression but I never fully connected with 2d media in the way I wish I could. I enjoyed the occasional abstract painting but for the most part was left wanting.
Then I started ceramics as a sort of art therapy meditation and fell in love immediately! I spent the next couple years neglecting my garden and meal prep so I could spend every ounce of energy I had practicing on the wheel and making things out of clay.
At this point it felt like people were enjoying my stuff, I was just about selling enough to cover my supplies and the pottery studio membership selling out of their little gallery and getting commissions from acquaintances around town
So I tried a couple booth sales with friends and while I LOVED the social aspect and made decent sales the energy it took me was enormous. Between prep, the time to make the pots and then a full week of recovering it just isn’t sustainable for me
So now ive built this Site to get my stuff out there!
When im not gardening and throwing pots I like to spend my time experimenting in the kitchen, writing short stories and playing boardgames with friends. I also Love to Dance when the mood strikes!
Im going to be posting about my artistic endeavors as well as some write ups about the projects im working on. I may occasionally post about chronic health issues but it wont be a main topic. Id like to post a little poetry when it feels appropriate as well!
For those of you curious about the health issues heres the basics:
– I typically get 4-6 âgood hoursâ a day
– If I push my limits I can potentially crash. An easy crash takes me out for a week, a really bad one could last a yearâŚ.
– A crash means that I am so physically exhausted that I cannot think or move properly. Sometimes I become so sensitive that even a simple conversation for more than a few minutes can make me feel confused and overstimulated
– In addition to the limited energy I have constant chronic muscle tightness and pain as well as being prone to tears/strains
-If I donât move around and stretch enough my muscle issues get acutely worse. But if I do too much my head gets foggy. My life is all about balancing things to give me as many good hours as possible.
Thankfully I haven’t had a super bad crash in a long time and while ive had a few moderate ones they get less and less frequent as I learn to pace myself and understand my limitations.
Even though my health issues have held me back in many ways it is also a force of inspiration pushing me forward. Through my struggles ive learned perseverance, Resource management, how to focus on my goals and so many other wonderful skills.
A big way I think that it has had an impact on my art is by helping me develop a strong attunement for small comforts. There are a million little things that can make something feel good or not but most donât think about them and only feel the sum of the parts. I do my best with all my work to think about all the little things and turn them into objects that make you feel something or put you at ease.