I used to be an apprentice at a studio with a male artist that made some really solid strong mugs. I own a few of them and they are some of my favorites. He signed his work shamelessly with his full name in big and bold letters everywhere on the piece, sometimes right across the front.
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I was always blown away by his confidence and ability to be himself. At the time i was just signing "betsy" usually in a tiny hidden space. Sometimes I didn't even sign my work. I had just gotten divorced. My last name wasn't really my last name. For years I thought about who I was and what I was making.
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One fateful day I picked up a bottle of underglaze and signed my name in bold black ink and it was a big day for me. I also gave myself my own name. I also decided that day to be unapologetically confident about my work just like my friend. Something as insignificant as a signature to one person can be a huge thing to another. It's time for all of us to put on our capes and be super heroes, because each of us has a reason to be exceptional. Let's keep reminding each other.
