PLAYFUL CAROLYN LINDQUIST

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Originally from San Diego, her parents purchased here in Laguna Woods over 23 years ago. As her family got older, their care fell upon Carolyn. One day she became so frustrated that she went to the Studio and purchased a 25lb bag of clay. She proceeded to sit down and beat the bejesus out of it. A most healthy activity when the world around you is chaotic. Eventually, she learned to make something!

Aside from working with clay, she piled up 2000 hours volunteering for the library and found a home for herself here in Laguna Woods. With five children, nine grandchildren and five GREAT grandkids, she is blessed with family.

When not in ceramics, she plays with wood and makes mosaics. While decorating her manor, she realized she needed something for her wall. Viola…that was when she discovered the Wood Shop ‘scrap bins’, and another avenue of creativity.

Carolyn gets her best ideas while “on the throne” and feels that you have to get to a certain place in your life to fully appreciate it. Her favorite motto’s are, “there is always Plan B” and “you break it – you buy it”! As a visitor to her home, I found myself smiling as we went from room to room, surrounded by sculptures and items that would bring a smile to the grimmest face. A most appreciated member of Potters and Sculptors.

Featured Artist – Vivian Basing

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VIVIAN BASING

Would anyone in Potters and Sculptors not recognize the lilting South African accent and the beautiful Shino and Woo Woo blue glaze on her pots? Oh yes, this month’s featured artist is a most talented lady who was born in Zambia and with her parents moved to South Africa when she was 6.

Although she spent eleven (11) years teaching grades 3 through 7, she discovered ceramics at age 18 when she first saw a woman demonstrating ‘throwing on the wheel’. Subsequently digging terracotta clay and taking classes with the woman that demonstrated ‘throwing’, launched Vivian’s interest and eventual career in ceramics.

She studied with Kerry Ellis, studio potter for six more years. Interestingly, he made all of the wheels and kilns for his own studio.

When Vivian returned to his studio to buy another wheel for her workplace, she ended up buying his studio. Averaging 80 students (16 wheels) she held classes all during the day and evening for the next 15 years. She made her own glazes and clay from recipes, but felt she never had time for more artistic pieces.

Vivian has been married for 40 years with 2 sons and 1 daughter. They first moved to London and won a green card lottery. She and her husband migrated to the US in 2011 and has lived in Laguna Woods for 4 ½ years.

She likes helping people. As one of the most task oriented folks in Potters and Sculptors, Vivian took the responsibility of organizing Bonanza. Well done!

Her current focus is on shape: lidded pots with extruded pieces added, as she is diligently working towards making them larger. Shino and Woo Woo blue have become her trademark. Vivian enjoys coil pots – “just because I love the shapes I can make”. She throws mugs to relax (six to ten at a crack), pulling their handles, trimming, and glazing every part.

Vivian loves walking and enjoys sewing all kinds of bags –she has done most crafts and even owned a scrapbooking shop. Multi-faceted—multi-talented—just plain MULTI!

Featured Artist: Jae Ryuwp

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This very talented man was born in Korea and was raised in South Korea. Lacking the money for college, Jae took a job with a publishing company and worked for a daily newspaper in Seoul as an Illustrator.

Jae moved to the United States in 1978 and in 1981 opened a printing and graphic design in Los Angeles. Jae has two children and three grandchildren. In 2004, after retiring, he and his wife moved to Laguna Woods without any idea of what to do once they arrived. A tour of Clubhouse 4 motivated him to start pottery and sculpture. Three and one-half years of sculpture classes at Saddleback College were followed by thirteen years of sculpture and drawing classes with the Emeritus program.

Recently he has become interested in abstracting the process and holds Picasso, Giacometti, Matisse, and Archtenko as some of his favorite artists. Jae’s current hobbies include making rapid drawings while watching ballet dancers perform, in real time, on Channel 149. A nearly impossible task!

Line drawings and portraits with ballpoint pen absorb his time when not off to the art or ceramic studios in Clubhouse 4 to do his work. Research and enjoyment take him to the neighborhood libraries to take a moment to savor the gorgeous art books available.