In Cuba there’s a phrase for artists who “have the capacity to realize various distinctive activities,” to work in multiple media: artista polifacética. I’m one of those.

CLAY MUSIC FILM WRITING 2D ART ACTIVISM

Creativity is both meditation and collaboration.

Clay

I’ve been working with clay for 50 years - not counting a decade with Play-Doh as a child. I knew ceramics was my path when I was 13. My BFA is from Louisiana State University 1979, where I studied primarily with Joe Bova. My MFA is from Oregon State University 1981, where I studied primarily with George Kokis. I spent much of the 1980’s working with traditional potters in Africa and Asia producing fuel-efficient ceramic cooking stoves; this provided an education for which no diploma exists. I’ve been teaching ceramics at Linn-Benton Community College in Corvallis, Oregon since 1999.

I have a particular affinity for porcelain, but sometimes other colors and qualities are called for. I’m attracted to atmospheric firings such as salt, soda, and wood, in which the clay work invites the flames to alter the surfaces in ways that can be anticipated but not guaranteed. Occasionally the bright colors or simple surface of electric fire are perfect for the need. Nature provides most of the inspiration, especially flora, yet the images that mean most to me come in dreams or visions, that are slightly surreal in their juxtapositions, illuminating a spiritual connection or message.

I have attended ceramic events that gather artists together to make art side-by-side in Cuba five times: 2001, 2003, 2015, 2017, and 2019. I’m profoundly moved by the role that art has in Cuban culture, and the effect that has on individual development. In 2019 I produced a short film about this.

Music

During my final semester at LSU I took a class at Southern University Jazz Institute with the incomparable Alvin Batiste. I was the only female, the only white person, and the only non-music major; I’d never had any music theory before and I was coming into the second semester of a year-long class. That class was the hardest I ever had to work to catch up and keep up, and it was so worthwhile: Mr Bat opened the splendid doors of musical composition for me. The class began my love affair with the piano – a far cry from lessons with the teacher I’d had at age six, who would snap a ruler on my knuckles if I didn’t curve them enough.

In the years to come, playing piano put me into a private spiritual cave, a mostly non-verbal space where wondrous things happened, and sometimes songs nudged me to write them. Words usually come first, then melody. Sometimes I woke up with a new song in my head. Or I’d have to pull off the road while driving and write them down. Eventually I learned to be brave enough to share the songs, and then to improve my sense of rhythm and develop the capacity to listen to multiple threads at once, allowing me to play and sing with other musicians.

I have published two CDs of original songs: Are You Satisfied? and Into Beauty. The process of recording songs, arranging them with different instruments, adding layers and editing feels as creative as composing. There is a moment where everything about the song starts to gel and it feels complete.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/into-beauty/944119547

https://music.apple.com/ng/album/are-you-satisfied/id6101917

I love playing with our band RiverRocks (“Rockin’ the folk out of it since 2003”), where I’m not the only songwriter and we do selected covers as well. Mina Carson and I started out doing duets and the band has grown and morphed over the years. Bill Veley on bass, Michael Everett on violin, Tracy Daughtery on percussion, and Joe Casprowiak on clarinet, flute and sax round out the sound. We laugh a lot with each other.

Film

At LSU I took Michael McCallum’s Tuesday night Film class for 2 years, and that small band of regular students was my closest community. This background came in handy years later when I was asked by Fellowship of Reconciliation to make a music video to encourage the Green Movement in Iran, with my song “Singing Freedom.” I collaborated with Oregon State University, Peace Jam, OSU student filmmakers and a 16-year old choreographer.

“Firelight/Fearless and Free” is an original piano piece that has spoken words of HH Dalai Lama, used by permission. My daughter had offered to fire dance if I wanted to make another music video. I broughts all this together to help spread the Dalai Lama’s wisdom about kindness and courage. Many of the visuals were filmed at Burning Man.

“Aleluya Cuba (work work work)” is a <13 minute video I made with William Capote, a wonderful videographer friend from Havana. I interviewed Cuban artists about why they make art, what their experience is while making it, and the role of art in Cuban culture. With subtitles, it is fully bilingual Spanish/English.

Writing

The short book, I Fell from a Tree into the Light of Love, chronicles my recent healing from shattered backbones. I wrote it to share the many aspects and lessons of healing, with the hope that others so challenged will find courage and stamina, and that those who love them will trust the gifts they can give. I post it online to be shared freely, with a Creative Commons license. Please ask for permission prior to reproducing any parts.

https://pdfhost.io/v/QckkDpwRO_I_fell_from_a_tree_into_the_light_of_love.pdf

2-D

I find drawing, especially blind contour drawing, a powerful meditation. Plein-air watercolor painting is also a great joy and teacher. On a sabbatical year in Chile in 1998, where I had no opportunity for clay, I painted landscapes and market scenes and deepened my skills. I exhibited them at Pegasus Gallery in Corvallis, OR upon return. I have had the challenge and pleasure of designing and painting stage sets for vaudeville shows at the Oregon Country Fair. Most recently, I enjoyed the challenge of drawing my inner meditations and visions for my healing story.

Activism

I am passionate about active nonviolence to create social justice and peace. I served on the Fellowship of Reconciliation’s National Council for 7 years, and on Oregon Fellowship of Reconciliation’s board for many years. I co-teach nonviolence and (when requested) give a public talk about motivations to confront and change racism called: Knowledge, Compassion, Justice, Peace.

drawing by Stuart Sharpe