Saturday, August 13, 2011

Starting Over

by Eleanor Link
Things have changed here at StudioÉlan. And the changes are so big that it is like starting over.

The vagaries of life have resulted in the loss of my husband, the loss of my fabulous studio and a move to a new city.


This blog will no longer be a cheerful collection of studio activities, nifty projects and storage solutions. There won't be any more reports about students or invites to studio sales.

I don't have a studio or the financial stability necessary for my family that would allow me to continue as a full-time potter.

This blog is now about what I can do with what I do have -all of my experience, skill and the compelling desire to make things out of clay. These can't be taken away.

My focus in my new life is my children.



You haven't heard much about them here before even though they have always played a big part in the shaping of my pottery life and decision making. I haven't wanted to be a 'mommy blogger' and I doubt I'll start now. I do expect though, that focusing on what is best for them in my new circumstances will have a more obvious effect on how my future in clay takes shape than it has in the past.

For now, I know that having my hands in clay regularly is going to be important to my capacity as a single mother. The ongoing search for balance between family, survival and the need to create will just be that much more intense.

My first step in finding that balance has been finding a place to work:

And today my first session with wet clay since October 2010 had simple but encouraging results:


8 comments:

Gina said...

I wish all the very best in creating the environment you need for your family and for your clay. You certainly have the talent and desire so I'm sure your kiln of life will have the perfect firing!

Linda Starr said...

I wish you all the good luck you so deserve, you've been so generous with your blog posts, I hope things go smoothly for your and your children, so glad you have a place to keep your hands in clay.

Judi Tavill said...

Hang in there... good vibes coming over the internet to you!

lynny said...

I have walked in those shoes and life will change and blossom in amazing and different ways-best wishes

Charan Sachar said...

I just heard about this change in your life. My condoloences to your family. I wish you the very best in your new life and I know you will excel at that. You have strong work ethics and you will succeed in whatever you try. Charan

Leyla said...

Been reading your blog for a while, and it's always inspired me...but as a full time mother of 5 and part-time potter, I am that much more inspired to read this post. May this challenge be a growth experience for you and your family and may you come out stronger for it.

Jannett said...

Sending all good thoughts and Zen over the pond to you Eleanor, your children are beautiful! Enjoy your new muddy digs!

k.houser said...

I am sorry to hear about your troubles...I do understand the complexities associated with family, transition and loss...it has been over a year for me now that I have been without a studio space, I have been trucking around any work that I have been able to eek out of a corner in my dank basement to friends as far as 2 hours away to get fired etc. My situation is changing for the better...hang in there...keep making anyway you can.

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