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I awakened on a February morning in 1966,
knowing that I could learn how to paint and draw. It was an overwhelming
feeling. My fourth baby in five years had been born the previous October
and I knew that because I was a stay at home Mom, I would find the time to
learn. And then, when I was introduced to clay, and I knew what form my
journey would take. I knew also that I had to share this passion with
others so that they also could explore creative thinking through a visual
image. My journey in learning is ongoing and now my students are not just
those who are in the classroom.
My present work is clay sculpture and
presentation ware. Sculpture fascinates me because with each project I
face a variety of problems that need solving. The form of the sculpture
begins as a philosophical statement. As the piece begins to grow, I follow
my intuition and listen to the clay. With clay stains and glazes, the clay
surfaces become a three-dimensional canvas, thus my experience in drawing
and painting is utilised.
I love to see a dinner table set with
individual presentation pieces. The heart of my family has always been at
the dinner table and the joy of presenting food in crafted dishes enriches
the atmosphere.
Important to me as well, is teaching. As a
retired Secondary Art Teacher, I loved working with teenagers. My teaching
now is out of my studio for both children, and adults. Each summer I
sponsor an art retreat at our ranch in the mountain beyond Pinantan.
Participants camp and share drawing and painting experiences in the
morning and/or clay experiences in the afternoon. One student remarked,
"I learned that I know so well how to work that I forgot what play
is. I learned it is OK to do something badly as long as it is fun or a
learning situation. It is OK not to produce something useful. It is OK to
‘waste’ paper and supplies. It is OK to not do ‘it’ perfectly. It
is Ok to fail. Thank you Rhona, the learning came just at the right
time." I think her statement says it all.
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