Joyce Lee, Jim Lee on sun 31 aug 97
There seems to be a sub-thread running through our comments on different
colored lists and making a living in pottery. I'm disturbed when I read
that a clayperson "had" to work at something other than their chosen
love in order to meet basic needs. We speak of "giving up" that for
which we were destined, of having to work for "the man," of having to
change our life styles...especially if we've been professionally trained
and educated in the arts. We experience a profound sense of loss. I
agree, it is sad.....too bad, get on with it, find a way, make choices
and don't lament decisions after the fact. If a decision is a poor one,
find a way to correct it. Take a risk.
As have many of you, I've known times when change, even forced change,
had grand results...eventually. My grandmother "gave up" teaching to
open a restaurant or two because she had seven children when she was
widowed and money was short in her chosen profession. She also needed a
place to watch over her children and teach them how to survive.
Generations have benefitted from her decision. She was a gifted teacher
by all accounts, but she was also a gifted business woman as it turned
out. My mother, with that example before her, was a beyond-gifted
dressmaker, hatmaker and designer. She seemingly had found her niche
and was respected in our community. We children were well-dressed
although we had little money (depression days), and didn't mind the bits
of thread and occasional pins which always seemed to adhere to
clothing when friends took a seat in our home. They thought we were
lucky to have such a talented, gracious, fulfilled, beautiful mother.
When she was widowed at the age of 44, she took all the required tests,
aced them even though her formal educational level was 9th grade (she
was the oldest of those seven children and "had" to pitch in at the
restaurant), entered nursing school at the University of Kentucky and
never looked back. Turned out she was a gifted nurse, too, but she had
put that dream on hold because the family needed the money.
Life happens.
Joyce
A bit purer than thou in the Mojave
joanna on mon 1 sep 97
ah joyce, i don't think it's of purity, it's just living long enough to
see that life is 'what it is' and that life itself is our ultimate art
form.
joanna, doing any number of things to bring in the money that lets me
sit on my front porch laughing gently with friends on a late summer
evening. it's all part of the package.
Joyce Lee, Jim Lee wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I'm disturbed when I read
> that a clayperson "had" to work at something other than their chosen
> love in order to meet basic needs. We speak of "giving up" that for
> which we were destined, of having to work for "the man," of having to
> change our life styles...especially if we've been professionally trained
> and educated in the arts. We experience a profound sense of loss. I
> agree, it is sad.....too bad, get on with it, find a way, make choices
> and don't lament decisions after the fact. If a decision is a poor one,
> find a way to correct it. Take a risk.
>
> As have many of you, I've known times when change, even forced change,
> had grand results...eventually.
>
> Life happens.
>
> Joyce
> A bit purer than thou in the Mojave
--
joanna deFelice/David Payne
prepress@cyberis.net
The Shelfords on thu 4 sep 97
Thanks Joyce and Joanna - couldn't agree more.
Re: >>We speak of "giving up" that for
>> which we were destined, of having to work for "the man," of having to
>> change our life styles...especially if we've been professionally trained
>> and educated in the arts.
I don't think it's ever a great idea to confuse talents and preferences for
destiny. The talents and preferences are what we already know - the tools
we start with. The challenges, necessities, tough choices, mistakes and
getting-it-right, constantly modified hopes and expectations are the
materials. Sometimes the tools we already have are the best ones, or at
least the handiest, for dealing with the materials life hands us. But
usually we have to learn at least something new, and sometimes a whole lot,
to make a good job of the job-in-hand. Sticking only with what we know or
are interested in, becomes a rut very quickly. What you really love will
always come out on top, and define who you are. A couple of quotes I've
always liked:
"How can you know when a thing is of overmastering importance? When it has
overmastered you."
"Be at rest from seeking after thy destiny, for it seeketh after thee."
- Veronica
- sorting through her favourite cliches about Life, here on the mountain...
____________________________________________________________________________
Veronica Shelford
e-mail: shelford@island.net
s-mail: P.O. Box 6-15
Thetis Island, BC V0R 2Y0
Tel: (250) 246-1509
____________________________________________________________________________
Robert S. Bruch on fri 5 sep 97
When I was in art school, "it was said" that in
25 years, only 5% of the graduates are making a living
in their field of study on a full time basis. IF that
is true, then any teacher who does not advise their
students of this reality is not being fair to those
students.
--
Bob Bruch rsb8@po.cwru.edu
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