@ be potters

September 2001 Volume 37 Number 8

SUSAN LEPOIDEVIN
A Celtic Journey

NEWSLETTER
Over the years, | have grown to love the
primitive firing process. Through the study of
many ancient cultures, my work has evolved
and transcended into my own unigue personal
expression. In the carly years of my explora
tion with clay, | was most influenced by
primitive folk am from many countries, in-
cluding pre-Columbian, early Japanese espe-
cially the Haniwa figures, and African Art.
When I moved to Canada in 19738, | was
greatly moved by the Inukstwks in the North
and the Inuit scapstone carvings.
From 1980-1985, my hushand Steve and [ran
a pollery business in Shawnigan Lake, on
Vancouver Island, In the late BOs we aban- Silicain VaiPbshivihin Crudtar's Hones, saan Hand.
dened our pottery business when Stewe ob- low-fire slips amd glazes, 25.4 x 22.9 x 10.2 cm
tained a teaching job in Princeton, BC. We
= pics sei ses igre) gis incghalirdiag In 1996, my family and Lembarked on an adventure
boviito the outskirts of this small rare communtty ofa lifetime, a year living and working in Scotland.
of 3000, where we presently live. T found that my yy, 1 nded in an ancient village on the east coast of
natural surroundings filtered into my handbwilt work, A ’ ’ ; :
Goats, chickens, and horses were just. a few images of avis ee 8 dee . seater em ialaptb
aaa ae Tee ar re wind and haunting music are a few words that
country life that ] Mo ce aby ti Soar Se oa at art
apes, reveal my artistic impressions of Scotland. Light,
INSIDE used = subject poetry, and relics are a few more words that begin
= Mg ye & explain my most unexpected emotional connec-

Made of Clay Stract MgUralive ion to this area, Whether it was a stone circle on an

@ Christmas sculpture. island in the North Atlantic or a sacred natural

amphitheatre of stone and wooded greens tucked

Canadi: away below a thirteenth century kirk, | was touched

a an by these reminders of past lives. As well, I was

Clay amazed thal they stll held their aura ancl fascina-

Symposium Susan LePoidevin on.

March 2002 Fleeing the Nest, oo, ;
sawdust-fired. low- 2! ¥48 most influenced by Britain's unique architec-
fired slips and glazes, Te, rich and diverse landscape and its historical

New Gallery 27.9x12.7x%102cem characters, [am now using these subjects as inspi-

Guidelines ration for my current work. My most recent sculp-

see LePoidevin page 4