LeeU
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From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
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From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
Early work in a series expressing the internal states of trauma survivors. Later became the Hidden Mask Series. -
Ever regret selling a piece?
LeeU replied to shawnhar's topic in Business, Marketing, and Accounting
I already commented, but later the topic got me thnking about whether I did have a piece I regret having been sold. I remembered a sentimental favorite from when I was in art school. Gas-fired terra cotta, no glaze. I made this for my parents--representing my maternal grandmother who would sit on her porch to "snap beans" for dinner. It was sold when my last parent died and everything was being licquidated. I was in a bad place at the time and couldn't deal with wanting anything, or driving south for 5 hours to get anything, and so it is gone. But I found a photo!!.jpg.22ee24adfc2276ae16074d1ef79f1065.jpg)
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There are very few aspects of my life-the more serious, important stuff-that does not carry some regret. Some regrets have been very deep-decisions/circumstances responsible for major shifts in feast or famine, well-being , and very not-well being, relationships, work life, and living situations. Some regrets have been sorrowful learning experiences that somehow transcended everything bad and became fuel for positive change years later. My clay journey is not separate from expressing my world view, and my creative spirit, even tho I had to leave it by the wayside for many decades. I work to not regret the past (sometimes much easier said than done, but it is do-able) and as such, no, I have no regrets about my journey with clay. Since I retired I have been able to waken it from hibernation and am very grateful to be enjoying it...like today, when I "allowed" myself to overlay & partly "brillo off" some metallic acrylics on a glazed tray--been wanting to do that for a while! It gave me a rush to "just do it".
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Gee---tubes to shape mugs--does that mean that the 100 straight-sided mugs I had to throw in art school really wasn't necessary? I knew that instrutor didn't like me, but really.....LOL
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I get stuck erratically - generally doesn't seem to be connected to anything in particular, internal or external. A lot of what Callie said resonates (as usual!). I make an effort, when effort seems to be needed, to give myself permission to just BE. I try to accept a basic "go w/the flow" approach to most stuck points. Eventually I'll either tap into something I can identify as a provoking issue that I can then address, or more likely I'll just cycle around and get back to work. In the interim, I tend to shift gears and do photography, or writing, or cooking or some other creative outlet. What I definately son't do is tey to dig into more ceramics-history, other people's work, techniques, drawing out ideas etc. I avoid it until I am compeled to get back to it. And am ever grateful that I do not need to, and am not motivated to, generate income from it!
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I'm big on Serendipity...I've just spent some time yesterday and today updating my Hidden Masks text in the Gallery, and adding to the Aesthetics and Philosophy Forum topic "What Was I Thinking?", which is about....what were you thinking? All of which addresses the QotW re a certain mentality or emotional state tied to engaging with clay. I assume I may take the liberty of adding clay artists, for those who may not self-descibe as being potters. I was once a potter, and while I did some great mugs-truly nice-and decent small bowls, most of my work is sculptural/functional. Some of the techniques, best practices craftmanship, and motivational approach might differ, but I figure clay is clay and working with clay is working with clay, and the drive to create is the drive to create, so I feel free to pipe up. I did a search: Googled personality types of potters. The 1st hit was https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/potter/personality/ Every subsequent hit was all about Harry P. I'll leave speculation, or evidence-based, valid/reliable research results, on potters' personality attributes (or diagnoses LOL) to others. My 2-cents worth is that we Clay People may comprise a kind of social strata-using the term loosly- via a commonality of emotional/mentality internal/external world views, but I have no clue as to what those might be. Fun topic!
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I have updated the Hidden Mask Series in the Gallery. After firing this piece I realized a lot more was going on in my my head than I had been aware of. So, I ditched the intended title--will save that for a future piece. I re-titled it HMS. No. 9 Zombie Girl. My internal landscape erupted after I did some research on old school zombification poisoning practices (think date rape drugs today, tho far more potent/destructive) and found astounding similarities with certain trauma states in today's world...including my own. In a nod to Old Lady's perspective I brightened her up a bit with some glitter and flower beads. Every little bit of further extrication from the past and losing even one more tether is a blessing. Most survivors do not have access to state-of-the-art bioneuro treatments (which are highly effective and fairly rapid). Most are stuck with "talk therapy" (CBT, REBT etc.) or may get lucky with some EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Even more never get any therapy at all, ever, and are caught in the brain-hardened loops of trauma world, basically just treading water or getting worse over time. Zombie Girl illustrates some of that static state that endures and reemerges thoughout life. The coloration is partially yukky, and the metaphorical worm (left of the mouth) of the rotting Soul is a detail not to overlook. And yet, the Turquoise Matte & Glo Worm green convey a bit of sunshine hitting the surface of the Self.
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Secrets is in memory of photographer/artist Anderson Clingempeel. Andy took his own life. Porcelain, embelished and framed. The palette and facial elements were drawn from AC's print, Tribal Suicide, created in 2011, fours years before his demise. -
From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
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After firing this piece the 1st time I realized a lot more was going on in my head than I had been aware of. My internal landscape erupted after I did some research on old school zombification poisoning practices (think of today’s date rape drug, tho far more potent/destructive). I found astounding similarities with certain trauma states in today's world...including my own. For the refire, I brightened her up a bit with some glitter and flower beads. Every little bit of further extrication from the past and losing even one more tether is a blessing. Most survivors do not have access to state-of-the-art bioneural treatments (which are highly effective and fairly rapid). Most are stuck with "talk therapy" (CBT, REBT etc.) or may get lucky with some EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Even more never get any therapy at all, ever, and are caught in the brain-hardened loops of trauma world, basically just treading water or getting worse over time. Zombie Girl illustrates some of that static state that endures and reemerges throughout life. The coloration is partially yukky, and the metaphorical worm (left of the mouth) of the rotting Soul is a detail not to overlook. And yet, the Turquoise Matte & Glo Worm green convey a bit of sunshine hitting the surface of the Self. -
From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
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HMS No. 7 Primal The "tribal warrior woman" vibe references the post trauma survivor who has developed and actualized the determination and skill to effectively fight back against destructive and paralyzing submission states. Stoneware with engobe and glaze. -
From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
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Profile side of HMS No. 5 "Emerging" ref process post trauma -
Detail HMS No. 5 Emerging - ref post trauma selfie -
"Emerging" references post trauma healing. -
HMS No. 2 Assembling the Survivor -detail
LeeU commented on LeeU's gallery image in Browse Member Galleries
HMS No. 2 Assembling the Survivor-trauma ref "split lips" -
HMS No. 4 Survivor of No Secrets.jpg
LeeU commented on LeeU's gallery image in Browse Member Galleries
The originally intended HMS No. 4 Survivor of No Secrets broke down the center-this is "the Survivor". Trauma reference--if you lose parts of your body/mind/Self, embrace what is left, alive and functioning. -
HMS No. 1 Two-faced Selfie -detail.jpg
LeeU commented on LeeU's gallery image in Browse Member Galleries
Detail of HMS No. 1 "Two Faced Selfie" references trauma, the double life of a battered woman - the light and the dark of the Self, the dichotomy and the synchronicity, or the lack thereof, imposed on the Self, externally and internally. Palladium & clear on porcelain. -
From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
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From the album: LeeU Hidden Mask Series
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Reference is trauma survivor's ability to be looking out, without fear, eyes open, taking in a straight-on view of the world, not hiding in the darkness of eyes squeezed tightly shut. -
HMS No. 6 Looking Out profile side -
HMS. No. 10 Zen Zen is a state of being -the mask is a post trauma expression of Zen-like Self awareness and acceptance of Self.
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