It was a week of reliving the past in the present. I attended a concert featuring Santana and Rod Stewart mid-week and reunited with many friends and classmates at my 40th high school reunion this past weekend. Music always triggers strong memories associated with the time and timeframe when I first heard a song or became familiar with a band or musical artist. Conversations with long-time friends help solidify shaky recollections into collective stories from our past.
It was good to reconnect with the Wakefield class of ’74 -- laugh, dance and talk. It makes me appreciate my roots and how lucky I am to have that feeling of comfort surrounded by people who share my history at an important time of my life. I have fond memories of my high school years and now a renewed connection to those people as adults. It continues to influence the person (and artist) I am today.
All of these artworks have a connection to 1974.
The irregularity of the neck of this pot I threw in 1974 when I was taking pottery classes with Winnie Owens-Hart led to what I lovingly call my 'Tit Pot.'
As a beginning potter, I didn't want to give up on a pot I'd thrown on the wheel. I added some breasts, a belly button and a back-end. It shows I had a sense of humor and whimsy in my work early on!
Clay surface was also important in 1974. I etched these flowers on a wheel-thrown bowl to add some interest.
Long-time friend Donna (Wyatt) Lane created this pastel for me and delivered it at the reunion. It is going straight to my studio! In turn, I am working on a personal Totem for Donna's garden in Colorado. Several of the women I knew as young girls have artistic talents they practice now. I'm looking forward to future collaborations with classmates who knew me way back when.