My friend, Jeanne Charles, died on May 9th. This is the woman whom I owe credit to for getting me started doing the driftwood sculptures. She was a fantastic art teacher at the high school where I am a counselor.She sent an email out in May of 2003 asking for driftwood because they were going to make horses. I had access to plenty of driftwood and went up to the San Juans and filled my boat full. Then loading up my truck and driving to the school I went and got her and presented my treasures. She wasn't as enthused about it as I was and I asked why. She said, "Well the horses we will be doing will only be about a foot long." I was thinking they were going to be life sized like Butterfield's out at PDX. She then said, "You can take some kids and put one together." So, I did. And it was from this experience that my muse was opened up doing these sculptures. It hit me in a deep place in my soul. It was what I wanted to do. Jeanne is gone and her energy lives on, she touched so many. Her public art class made drab cement pillars into beautiful art work at the school. Her pottery was fantastic. She touched so many students and I'm glad I was one who was fortunate enough to have our paths cross. She's dead, but not gone, nor forgotten. I will be dedicating my next piece to her, The Cormorant.
Tags:
driftwood, jeanne charles, sculpture
Posted at: 07:08 PM | Add Comment