Jill Babcockin
the Spotlight, September 2010 
By
Lori Rae Curole
Take a Jersey Girl who takes a “creative approach to
the simplest things” toss in a magnetic relationship with
Maine and a need to help others and you have a self made
creative who serendipitously found her way in Pottery
through an unusual path.
So, Jill, where did you grow up?
- Trenton,
NJ
And you have lived since? - New
York metro area for 35y....Pennington, NJ for
3y.....and Maine since 2000 (with a 2.5y break
to Delray Beach, FL.......big mistake.....back to
Maine in the Spring, 2009.
When did all this crazy art business
begin? -
My aunt was a potter and she did some of the most creative
tea pots. After she died, my cousin gave me some of her
potter’s tools because she knew that I was interested in
working with my hands and thought that clay would be a good
medium. I've always had a creative/artistic bent and alter
almost anything in sight.....I always seem to find a more
creative approach to the simplest of things. When I
returned to Maine, a retired Hospice nurse, I found a
pottery studio within walking distance from my
home.....what better incentive......and so my "career" as a
potter began.
I want to hear more about your "creative approach to the
simplest things" and how this affects your attitude towards
your work and life in general. OK, if
truth be told, it's not always so simple! I hate collars!
When I find a coat or shirt or sweater....I imagine what it
would look like without the collar and voila....beautiful
piece of clothing sans collar. Hardly creative but it works
for me. Seeing physical things from a different perspective
allows me to take someone’s work and put my stamp on
it.......with anything! I first started working with clay
on the wheel and quickly switched to hand molding...it's a
perfect partnership...I learned that my lump of clay and I
work well together.....what the clay wants to do as I'm
working gives me a hint as how this partnership will turn
out. Simple approach to life.........HA! If it can be
complicated, I'm going to find a way......OK, not so
anymore. I have found that given my creative bent I am
always looking to find a different route to approaching
life. Just ask my kids! My return to Maine has changed my
perspective and life. I have given a great deal of myself
to many causes, my profession, family and friends. I have a
tattoo just above my right wrist that symbolizes
"simple/peace". I finally took the time to pay more
attention to its meaning and applying it to my
life.......simple!
What suggestions do you have for someone who has always
wanted to pursue their creative passions, but may let day
to day life or work get in the way?
Don't let too much time pass you by. There's always
tomorrow but I wish I had started pottery sooner. I think
that all of my creative projects over the years became the
precursor for my work with clay. Find some time....a day,
an hour but start. Find a friend who enjoys your same
interests.....always nice to have someone to chat with
while you're going through the process.
Is there anything else you want to share with our
readers, after all, it's your 15 Minutes of
Fame? 15
minutes....that's all I get.....Andy must have been
wrong! Our art is a reflection of who we are and from what
I have observed from other SEA members ....I "see"
beautiful reflections. Fame is fleeting but our art lasts
forever.Lori
Rae Curole,
is a SEA Member who shares a love for painting, writing,
& raising awareness of emerging local artists.
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