Letter to you

Dear friends,

Ten years ago, I bought my first pack of clay. I had been in California for only a few years. I was a biochemist who knew she would never cure every sick kid, a journalist who could not speak the language, and the mom of two young , beautiful, and energetic boys. It was the year 2000 and the perfect time for me to learn what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

In Spring 2000, I passed the door of the University Art store in Palo Alto, California. Then I went back and bought a ten pound bag of terra cotta clay. Coming back home, I installed myself in the middle of our living room and started sculpting my first piece: “A la recherche de...” (Looking for...). It was only an ugly mask surrounded by strange tentacles, but I was hooked. I loved the texture, the feeling of my hands on the clay, the creating process. That day, I decided I would sculpt. I didn’t know yet that ten years later I would be writing this letter to you.

This week, I spent some time looking back at those ten years and I discovered that I showed my first work in 2002 and cast my first bronze in 2004. I had difficult moments, and exhilarating ones. I have had some great teachers and some I had to fight to be true to myself. I have seen people so moved by my work that they cried, and some others who were happy to see an attitude that reminded them of their mom or of themselves in one of the pieces.

I also discovered that over 60 of you have welcomed 85 of my “ladies” at your home. I was amazed and so deeply touched.   I just wanted to take few minutes away from my beloved clay and try a piece of paper and a pencil for a change. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my appreciators, collectors and, most of all, for being my friends.

Sincerely yours,

Fabienne