Growing
up with Wake County sand between my toes, this area holds a big place in my
heart. Our area has changed a lot in the last 50 years, but somehow, since I
have had my hands in clay, the memories of living on a farm and playing in the
sand and building "frog houses" have come back to me.
Working with other “clay people” has taken me back to the simple life that I had as a child. You can’t be covered in mud and dirt and hold yourself aloof from those around you. It kind of brings everyone to the same level and frees people to just be themselves. It’s a lot like a family reunion. Those are the people that have to take you in when nobody else wants you.
I am always very aware that God is the great potter and I am a clay vessel created by His hands. Kind of takes you back to fundamentals, doesn’t it? It also keeps me from taking myself too seriously. After all, I am just imitating the original creator.
Dan Finch, in Bailey, NC, began introducing me to the intricacies of working with clay over three years ago. He is constantly teaching me new things (thanks Dan). I have been a portrait artist most of my adult life but longed for something “a little more”. I called a few potters in Knightdale searching for a studio to teach me the techniques for sculpting, glazing and firing clay. A wonderful person (whose name I can’t remember) told me about Dan’s studio. The rest is history.
My education is in computer graphics and software. I work with a clinical research company in RTP four days a week. They give me the opportunity to work with advertising, web design, sculpture, graphics, photography, event planning, training and many other things that are directly suited to my abilities. It is a privilege that I don’t take lightly to work for this company.
Love of the human face has driven me to sculpture. Painting
is very satisfying, but I wanted to be able to close my eyes, run my hands over
the clay and “see” the face of the one I was sculpting. I find that
sculpting portraits is “enough”. As I learn more about armatures and such,
I want to sculpt entire bodies of babies and children. They bring out the
best in me. After all, I am Gavin’s “Nana”. (Ask
me about my grandson!)
Besides working at Dan’s studio for the last three years, I have taken workshops with Rudy Autio, Ron Meyers, Charles and Linda Riggs, Steven Hill, and Jim Fatata. I spent a week at the John C. Campbell Folk School studying portrait sculpture with Bruce Everly in 2005. Philippe Faraut conducted a workshop at Dan Finch Pottery in April 2006 and I was privileged to study with him. Philippe is one of the foremost sculptors in this country and the techniques he shares are priceless. I feel as if I should just mail him a check each month to show him how much he has helped me to improve. He is an amazing instructor - maybe the best I have ever had. The photo above shows the sculpture that I completed of Mary Ann Purser during this workshop.
I currently have sculpture at the Seagrove Gallery in Cameron Village and Seven Sisters Gallery in Black Mountain, NC. Please visit my web site at www.gaillawson.com to watch my progress.