Last month we learned a little bit about our Vice-President Bo Anderson. This month we will hear from our Secretary Connie Whitlock.

Inspiration for my work comes from an inner

philosophy that ‘Life is good—be happy!’ Raised in the Midwest on a farm gave me the basic love of working with my hands and enjoying nature. Blessed with a large extended family I shared joy, excitement and pain which manifested into a personal visual dialogue in my work expressing pleasure, peace, love, and nature’s simplicity.

I utilize multiple clay types within stoneware and earthenware, along with various high and low fire glazes to expose each piece’s personality. Generally, I apply color and texture that relates to realistic forms, however, my abstract work allows me the freedom to convey total emotional expression. My style, whether wheelthrown, coiled, hand-built, or mosaics range from realism to whimsical.

I love teaching clay classes to both youth and

adults.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to

design and create a number of, site-specific,

‘Public Art’ tile murals. My work covers a wide

range of materials and imagery, thus allowing my design decisions to apply specifically for the unique requirements of each undertaking. I

often encourage the community to participate

in the actual construction of the mural.

I was honored to be a participant in the first

and artist’s studios in March, 2008.