Monday, August 2, 2010

Why I’m a Spoiled Brat—#11

Because I changed my name when I married, it’s a little known fact that my mother is Barbara Walker. Not the Barbara G. Walker of A Treasury of Knitting Patterns fame (which would have been fine), but the Barbara S. Walker of ceramics and sculpture fame. When I was a child, my mother took up ceramics and later became a co-owner of The Lodestone Gallery, a fine craft store here in Boulder, Colorado. She made everything from dishes to lamps to Christmas tree ornaments, then in later years she settled into sculpture. Although she tried to get me interested in clay, I always preferred clean crafts such as sewing, knitting, and embroidery. But I am absolutely certain that I was influenced by my mother’s industriousness and creativity. She, as well as my father (who was a college professor), taught me that it is possible to make an income following your passion. Both of them loved what they did. Through the strength of their example, I gave up the corporate world (I had a MS in geology of all things) to pursue a career in fiber. And I’ve never looked back.

Here are a few photos of my dear mum and her sculptures—the last photo is a bust she made of my dear dad. They set the stage for my very good life.









8 comments:

Virginia G said...

That is cool. And I do believe that I visited the Lodestone Gallery on one of my many visits to Colorado when I was a child. I'll have to ask my mom, but it sounds very familiar. My mother is (and was then) very interested in visiting galleries and I remember being dragged off to innumerable ones as a kid.

Making a living with one's passion... I'm working on it! Right now, as a matter of fact.

JelliDonut said...

Looks like talent runs in the family. That bust of your father is amazing. And you're no slouch yourself

Sharon said...

I love the bust of your father. I would love to have something like that of my dad.

Karen Frisa said...

Your mother's sculpture is beautiful and so evocative!

The Grumpy Woodchuck said...

You look so much like your dad! How nice is that!

Deborah Robson said...

What a delight to see.

Toby said...

Such beautiful work and creativity that comes from your family!

Mona said...

Your mother's work is beautiful, Ann. Thank you for sharing. I'm curious, though. What was your name before you changed it? Ann Walker?