Stephani Stephenson on tue 12 jun 01
HI Kellie
I know what you mean about the =91Post Workshop =91Period!
Weekend before last I had the pleasure of welcoming nearly 20 people to
the studio for a tilemaking workshop. I was thankful to Laird for
opening up the studio for this opportunity and thankful to some
incredible friends who helped out. We worked hard to prepare the studio
and I worked hard to prepare my brain for acting as the workshop
instructor. Still, I had some nervousnesses mixed with the anticipation
and hoped the workshop gods/goddesses would smile down upon us for the
weekend!
Well, they did.The participants arrived and what an incredible bundle
and bustle of energy they brought with them.They had so much enthusiasm
. It was exciting to meet them and see and hear what kind of work they
did. A few of them were CLAYARTERS I had never met before. Such good
people every one. All so very inspiring and motivating for me as the
instructor as well as just a fellow clayperson.It is the best feeling
in the world to see people sharing ideas and learning from each other.
A weekend is so short, but boy, we packed it full! As we closed I felt
there had barely been enough time. I caught up on some sleep the next
day and then began picking up the threads of day to day business which
had been set aside for a few days.....
The following week was VERY odd, because the studio still echoed the
voices: laughter, excitement and threads of conversations. A few times I
could HEAR IT!!!....Then as the week went on it seemed awful quiet! But
what a good time to reflect, mulling over what was exchanged.
And with regard to life in general, I don=92t have the little ones to
tend to as you do primalmommy, but I have always been a =91working girl=92
and worked to support myself since the age of 17. Sometimes I slip and
I envy those who have a subsidy: a piece of property, a supportive
spouse, a high paying job, a generous family. Sometimes I feel
frustrated too, like I just haven=92t been able to put it all together to=
o
well, even after so many years. I have worked hard, believing in it,
but truthfully, my bod=92s getting older and I still struggle financially.
So sometimes I slip and that's what crosses my mind and I get worried or
anxious and get ticked off at myself. I think that is a natural part of
the process for many of us. The good part is when you overcome those
feelings with good work,discovery, sharing, or sense of having done
something.Rewards come in many forms, and many of them are just moments
in time where you have that sense of well being, of beauty, of something
given , something realized.
The fact is there=92s some who come out of the chute fast and ride a fanc=
y
ride, and others who are like big fireworks in the sky .Some are smart,
lucky or quietly determined and inspire us with the way they move
toward their dreams. Others humble us with the beauty of their work
and/or their perseverance . We all work through our obstacles and our
lessons one way or another, and I know you will find joy in your way. In
school I remember the moms who took Ceramics classes. They were often
the most efficient, productive, fired up people in they class. They knew
they had ONLY 3 hours and by gad it was not going to be wasted! No
time to laze about and idly wonder what the meaning of art is!
Though I often work fast and furious I sometimes feel like an old land
tortoise, plodding forward. It is only natural to feel frustrated when
the hares seem to pass you by.Once I saw some tortoises from the
Galapagos islands , I think one of them has been around since Columbus
landed on this hemisphere. Not real flashy ,these tortoises, and they
didn=92t win any races except for longevity, but how ruggedly beautifu=
l
they are and OH the stories they could tell!
It seems to me that Doggedness and humor are two virtues worth keeping!
Best to you
Stephani Stephenson
Carlsbad, CA
http://home.earthlink.net/~mudmistress/
| |
|
