Linda Spelko

Artist Statement :

My first exposure to clay was as a freshman in high school. My brother told me that " Pottery 1" was an easy elective,that sounded good to me. Clay, from then on was morento me than an easy elective. Clay is my friend, always there,waiting, willing to bend and move.

On my Wheel, the spinning mass of clay intrigues me, molds me,and makes me who I am. I love the feel of the smooth, soft texture, the balance, the clay as my hands circle the centeredness, the slurry between my fingers.........

I tend to think with my hands. My forms are simple, usually rounded forms. They are sometimes thought out before hand, but my best forms seem to work themselves out as I go along. It gives me great personal satisfaction to push the clay, to achieve that rounded balance.

I love the look on peoples faces as they rest their own hands on my sweet circles, knowing that they too can feel the pleasure of something so pure and simple as clay.To see the curve, is almost like looking around a blind corner. I tend to find myself daydreaming of round forms, pegnant bellies,balls,globes,fish bowls,full moons.I love the feel of my hand resting on the curves of my clay. Clay is my friend.

Artist Bio :

As a child I was a loner. I remember being perfectly content looking outside and drawing what I could see. My father could draw very well and I believe seeing him draw fostered my love of art. In school I took art but it did not hold my interest. It was when I began High School that I found what art really meant to me. I took a beginners pottery class and my love of clay began. I can still remember the smells and textures of the clay. I had an excellent teacher, Mr Tom Hawkins. He made beautiful forms that he inspired the beginning mark on my career.

I loved art classes and took as many as possible. Our school had evening classes for adults and I began attending and eventually teaching the adults. Our art department was run by excellent teachers, and because of that many of us were in art shows, and won many awards. I was honored in my 3rd year by receiving the Gold Key Award for excellence in ceramics. When I graduated I was unsure of what path I wanted to take, always knowing that clay was in my future.

I married my husband John in 1977, and have been married thirty years. I have always loved children and am blessed with four daughters, Maya,Erica,Jennifer,and Tiffany. My children were my joy and I raised them with with much happiness. We homeschooled our daughters and when the last one graduated. I had an old potters wheel and some hard clay and decided it was time for me to begin my pottery again.

I met Juliet Bacchas soon after and we knew right away that we shared a common goal. We quickly decided to begin our business. We named it Juliet Rose Gallery and Studio. The middle name Rose is in honor of my Grandmother and Mother in law, Two special Roses in my life.

This business and my friendship with Juliet has caused me to grow and develop as a person. I have been enriched from knowing Juliet's mother, and have fallen in love with their country of Jamaica. I am thankful to my husband and daughters as they patiently help and encourage us. I thank my mother for all the times she called to see how we were doing, it feels good to have someone who cares so deeply.

I am especially thankful to Donna, a constant friend and our biggest fan. We have met fantastic people along our way, and I know they are 'a gift of God.' Our students have become some of our closest and trusted friends. This year we are blessed with an apprentice. Praise be to God for all his blessings.

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Juliet Bacchas

Artist Statement:

Someone Wise once said "What you focus on determines what you miss." This profound statement helps me to redirect myself. I have always been attracted to the clarity of lines, movement of lyrical lines and the combination of curvilinear with rectilinear, both in lines and forms. While I was in college the National Gallery of Jamaica hosted a Retrospective of a talented artist of the Art Deco period, Webster Burnett. He was an amazing designer and creator of fine furniture. This Exhibition took my breath away. The elements were identical to what captivated me. This was my first encounter with Art Deco and what would shape the direction of my work. I was also motivated and inspired by the Bald Eagle. For about three years in drawing and designing I did studies of eagles wings,eyes, feathers and graceful lyrical movement. Most of my earlier works were angled with linear and curved lines and radical movements which left my forms feeling as though they were about to take flight. However, that was not enough, I yearned for something more; a redirection.

One year after graduating from college, I moved to the United States. Suddenly I was hungry for the Jamaican Landscape, the mountains, ocean, rivers, trees, flowers, fruits and traditional food, music but most of all the people; their vibrant spirit and their expressive faces. So, I changed my focus. While I lived in Jamaica I never focused on these elements because I was looking at something else. Today, in my work I attempt to capture the vibrancy of the Jamaican landscape with lines and textures of the country sides, rhythm and movement of the rivers, ocean and leaves such as the banana leaves. My work also reflects the culture and tradition of the people including my fellow Jamaican artists, our habits, language, dance, story telling, music, history, proverbs, hardships and sense of humor. All of these sense and sentiments are bound together into round, textured and towering forms by a very unique hand-building technique. his technique is called African Coiling, brought to Jamaica by the African many years ago. this tradition of making pottery is usually passed down from mother to daughter.

I could travel the world (which I shall) but the faces of honest expression that I grew up with will always inspire my work. The back bone of most families in Jamaica including mine is structured by the matriarch (the grandmothers and mothers) instilling strong values, wisdom, the responsibility of self to others and God. This is the body of our tradition and culture,one which I am proud to express and share with the world.

Artist Bio:

The inspiration for me to become an artist was planted by my mother. I can remember as a child drawing from photographs and comic books, and my mother so proud of my artwork. Her encouragement and faith in me made me want to aspire to become an artist.As I grew up, I made several attempts in the business world, but knew there was something missing. I made a life changing decision and enrolled in Edna Manley College Of the Visual and Performing Arts. At he time I had no idea of how I would pay my tuition or expenses. I found that through faith, prayers, perseverance, my mother, my friends, Teachers and hard work,my dreams were realized.I was a child of the Jamican countryside, and I set my sights high and made it through four years of college.

In my second year, I was honored to recieve a bronze medal from the Jamaican Cultural Development Commission(JCDC). In 2000, I recieved a silver medal again from the JCDC. I also recieved the william Aiken cash award in my final year, which helped pay my tuition.

At my graduation, I was the first recipient of the Cecil Baugh award of Excellence.It was an honor to recieve my medal personally from the Master Potter of Jamaica himself, Cecil Baugh. I will cherish this memory always.

My career began as a high school teacher and part-time potter. In my reading I found a profound thought: "What you focus on determines what you miss." After realizing that my heart longed to create in clay full time, I was met with a new crossroad in my life. My mother, who had moved to the United States, became handicapped and needed my help. I made the decision to move to a new life in a different country to care for her.

God's hand was in my every move, and I came to know that everything happens for a reason. Through my mother's illness, I began a different path, but a path that would fulfill my dreams. Throught divine intervention I met Linda Spelko, who has become my friend, sister, and business partner. Our shared love of clay and determination was the reason to begin our business, Juliet Rose Gallery and Studio.

I now live in Monson, MA, with Linda and her family on a beautiful farm. Our gallery space, studio and students are truly a gift of God. I am blessed.

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