My Four Inner Demons (part 2 of 4)
Updated: Oct 14
by D. E. Hermann
The pottery face jugs that originated during the mid-nineteenth century had grotesque or expressive features. As the theme for our then-annual exhibition, our potter's guild chose this subject, allowing each participant to create their own versions. Named the 'Face Forward' exhibition in 2016, I created four functional pieces depicting my worst character failings - my inner demons.
Possessing the innate ability to be sidetracked by the most random happenstances or thoughts, I chose to give a face to my second inner demon. It is a multi-eyed, multi-tentacled, tooth-beaked, horned creature born from seeking and reaching out for every excuse to divert my focus.
Allowing digressions to postpone work is a talent I excuse by convincing myself I need to take that extra workshop, go on that unplanned trip, take care of that ignored corner in the studio. As I get older, the feeling is heightened when I hear of contemporaries' failing health or deaths. Before I go into that big sleep, I want to explore more, create better, and enjoy life.
To commemorate my procrastination through distractions, I designed this gaudy spectacle to be a mug, with an eye at the base of each suction-cupped tentacle. Three tentacles are legs, one is a handle, the remainder wave for attention. I named him Salmagundi because it is truly a hodgepodge. It is distraction at its best, and it devours time. For added mayhem, I made this stoneware piece into a puzzle. It is a dribble cup, ready to stain the day and derail any schedule.
How I tamed my demon Salmagundi:
I didn’t. But I’ve learned to recognize it instead of wondering where the days and time have gone. I try my best to corral my distractions so they happen only if I can meet work deadlines.
For my own good, I avoid responsibilities that come with unrealistic target dates.
The most important thing, and the hardest, was to cut out toxic relationships from my life. Some friends are not friends at all. A sad lesson that took me 50 years to learn, but one that lifted a heavy millstone from my psyche and cut out drama and time sinkholes.
Life will always throw curveballs - those unexpected, knock-you-on-your-butt episodes that can stop one from doing anything. Salmagundi has nothing to do with those.
I have learned to limit myself to three weeklong workshops a year and make time to travel once a month, sometimes combining the two. I've become better acquainted with a digital calendar and take care to schedule ample time to meet submission due dates.
Distractions will always exist for me. It may be considered a failing or flaw, but it is intrinsic to who and how I am. Endlessly curious about whatever flutters by, I am sure I will continue to follow figurative distributaries to nowhere right into my grave.
My Four Inner Demons (Part Two of Four)
D. E. Hermann, March 2019 ©
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