Book Review!

OMG!!! - which is literally what I said aloud when I ran across this book at a recent conference. I didn't know anything like this existed for artists, and I've been looking for one for a while now. So far I've found an extensive book about knitting and ergonomics**, but nothing like this, meaning, nothing so straightforward, informative, and easy to implement.

The author and artist Kriota Willberg has done a fantastic job explaining (and illustrating!) 1. why pain matters when creating-- as in don't ignore your pain! 2) what types of injuries are common for cartoonists, 3) how to care for the body while working, 4) how to care for the body while NOT working (super important!), and 5) what to do when you have an injury. All delivered succinctly via text and image, and with a fun sense of humor and play.

Whether making pottery, drawing cartoons, painting at an easel, writing at a computer, etc., the core of the issue is that if we are doing anything for long periods of time, requiring body parts to be in specific positions for that time, we risk repetitive strain injuries. It can be hard to recognize this is happening initially until something REALLY hurts. Also, within the pottery world, there's a sense that pain is the price you pay for being a productive potter. Which is nuts. And I'm focused on figuring out how to minimize my own pain while making pottery and sharing that information with others. As is the author, and thank goodness, because this book is so helpful!

**Carson Demers' "Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting"