About two years ago, maybe three, Robin Hopper knew that he wasn’t long on this earth. He asked Tony Clennell to give his eulogy at our national ceramics conference (NCECA). I know that Tony started thinking about what he would say to his peers about this man who gave so much to our clay community.
Tony did a great job. He wore glasses, hat, and bow tie of Robins. He had one of Robin’s t-shirts on too. Robin would always wear these silly T-shirt’s while running a workshop. One time when he took me to his favorite T-shirt shop in Victoria. We hunted around, being in the moment, I had to purchase three silly T-shirt’s too. When, I got home, I said to myself “Really?! I don’t wear T-shirt’s like this laughing at myself.”.
Robin Hopper, an artist, man, husband, father, teacher, author, gardner, chemist, entertainer, and taskmaster, he was a force. Who will take his place? I know Tony is to some degree. Robin counseled him to not live as large and hard as he did. I hope Tony listens and that we get to see his artwork, take his workshops, and read his blog: smokyclennellblogspot.com for many years.
