Now that I am 57 I can look back. As I look back on my relationships are realized there was something going on; there was something that engaged me rather than having relationships that were separate from my life.

With my music teacher for example, I am honored that she will keep teaching me. I see that as a very deep, platonic relationship.

The relationships of lovers have been profound in a different way. When I looked back I think of opportunities that I had to get to know people deeper, but I was so self-consumed with being an artist that I didn’t take the time to explore what these people were offering. That’s one regret I have about the people in my life; I just didn’t have time for them.

Today, I am still obsessed about my work but I have learned to make time. The people around me are very, very important.

Now I have someone who supports me and participates in what I am doing. Her name is Jessie. When I read biographies of famous artists and the pass I see that many of them or struggling. They’ve never had time, either. Gauguin, for example, he was married, he had children, and he needed time for painting… it was tragic. When you read about these people and see how they suffered it creates a challenge to be an artist and to be able to get past the stereotype the suffering, starving artist.

A big part of the suffering is self-criticism; it’s not the usual suffering is more like a spiritual suffering.

My first Japanese teacher, Michiko, is turning 80 soon. My mother is 84. To have good people in your life is very important. I feel like I couldn’t have made it without these people.

I have a friend who collects my pots. His name is Fred. He kind of took me on as a son. He was a math teacher and a philanthropist. No one knows where he got his money but he formed a collection of pottery. I got to be his friend. He was so kind to people that I think about him all the time.

My pots are beautiful but I see it as a self-indulgent thing. Being an artist you have to be pretty involved with yourself. Sometimes I wish I could teach because when you find a student who is really ready…

The kind of learning I did was so disciplined. Most people today don’t want to study brush painting for ten years.