Melissa Stone Harwood
So interesting reading the various paths everyone has taken since leaving high school. Here is mine.
When I left high school I went to work at Electromask in Van Nuys for a year or so while attending Pierce College studying Art History. Electromask was at the forefront of micro-electronics reducing large photographic prints of chips and sending them to electronic companies to put into the first computers. It was there that I learnt about dark room photo processing which stood me in good stead for later jobs.
When I had saved enough money, Don Burgess (Granada Hills High) and I hitchhiked from the Encino on ramp across the US and got a boat to Europe, where we travelled for a month with our first class inter-rail passes. As we were short on money, we slept on the train and woke up in a new country every day!
On our return we lived in the Silverlake area of L.A. while he went to Otis Art Institute and I worked at Savon selling cosmetics, an insurance company, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, photography for an advertising agency and as an usherette at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where I saw “2001 A Space Odessey” more than enough times.
When I left high school I went to work at Electromask in Van Nuys for a year or so while attending Pierce College studying Art History. Electromask was at the forefront of micro-electronics reducing large photographic prints of chips and sending them to electronic companies to put into the first computers. It was there that I learnt about dark room photo processing which stood me in good stead for later jobs.
When I had saved enough money, Don Burgess (Granada Hills High) and I hitchhiked from the Encino on ramp across the US and got a boat to Europe, where we travelled for a month with our first class inter-rail passes. As we were short on money, we slept on the train and woke up in a new country every day!
On our return we lived in the Silverlake area of L.A. while he went to Otis Art Institute and I worked at Savon selling cosmetics, an insurance company, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, photography for an advertising agency and as an usherette at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where I saw “2001 A Space Odessey” more than enough times.
It was at this time that I suddenly had a thought that I must go to the Bahamas and so got one of those cars to drive for someone back to their home which happened to be in Florida. It was a Thunderbird and all I had to do was pay for the petrol (sorry, gas) . It was a bit frightening at times as I slept in the car and had never been to the South before - but I got there in one piece. It was in Nassau that I met Christopher Budd (who was to become my first husband). He told me about the work of Rudolf Steiner and Eurythmy movement/dance and I was very interested.
On my return I moved to San Francisco and then Berkley, where I made dresses and sold them to boutique shops. (many thanks to my tailoring teacher at Cleveland HS!)
I then went to England to be with Christopher and we lived in Tunbridge Wells before joining an idealistic community on a beautiful estate near Forest Row, Sussex. The idea was that you would put what money you had into the community but get the size house you needed regardless. It was a community to support each other in their chosen tasks in life and there were architects, sculptors, organic gardeners…..
From here I travelled by train each day for 4 years to London to do my training in Eurythmy. It was a full-on training with several lessons per day plus speech, literature, history of poetry and music and I loved every moment of it as I had always loved dance. I remember our square dance lessons at Lorne St. elementary school and dancing with Mike Young who was great!
After my training, I was asked to join the performing group and for the next 15 years we toured the British Isles, the Continent, Canada and America. I loved it.
At this time I was also teaching adults and was asked to teach in the Eurythmy training. I was also invited to give courses in Switzerland, the UK and spent a month touring Japan with a colleague giving performances and teaching. For about 5 years I travelled to Russia and Estonia with a group of colleagues teaching teachers who were interested in Waldorf/Steiner Education.
During this time Christopher and I separated and I decided to take a sabbatical from teaching and moved to London where I got a job in the Running Wardrobe of the Royal Opera House. There I looked after the costumes of the principal singers and was their dresser and got to know many well. It was wonderful to be surrounded by all the beautiful music.
Then I got to know Laurence (who was the stepson of my inspirational Eurythmy teacher) and in time I moved up to Grasmere in the beautiful Lake District of England to be with him.
With no colleagues to work with, I learnt about working with Eurythmy in organisations and began to work with management consultants in various companies.
I also took a two year course on sculpture as well, as that I am now a painter with several solo exhibitions in London and around the U.K.
Laurence worked all his life for the National Trust and we live in a lovely house owned by them in this friendly village. I am involved in many groups here and love living in a village.
I never had children as I was so involved in my career but now have fiyr lovely grandchildren thanks to Laurence’s children. Life is very good.
Have a look at my web site: www.melissaharwood.co.uk
On my return I moved to San Francisco and then Berkley, where I made dresses and sold them to boutique shops. (many thanks to my tailoring teacher at Cleveland HS!)
I then went to England to be with Christopher and we lived in Tunbridge Wells before joining an idealistic community on a beautiful estate near Forest Row, Sussex. The idea was that you would put what money you had into the community but get the size house you needed regardless. It was a community to support each other in their chosen tasks in life and there were architects, sculptors, organic gardeners…..
From here I travelled by train each day for 4 years to London to do my training in Eurythmy. It was a full-on training with several lessons per day plus speech, literature, history of poetry and music and I loved every moment of it as I had always loved dance. I remember our square dance lessons at Lorne St. elementary school and dancing with Mike Young who was great!
After my training, I was asked to join the performing group and for the next 15 years we toured the British Isles, the Continent, Canada and America. I loved it.
At this time I was also teaching adults and was asked to teach in the Eurythmy training. I was also invited to give courses in Switzerland, the UK and spent a month touring Japan with a colleague giving performances and teaching. For about 5 years I travelled to Russia and Estonia with a group of colleagues teaching teachers who were interested in Waldorf/Steiner Education.
During this time Christopher and I separated and I decided to take a sabbatical from teaching and moved to London where I got a job in the Running Wardrobe of the Royal Opera House. There I looked after the costumes of the principal singers and was their dresser and got to know many well. It was wonderful to be surrounded by all the beautiful music.
Then I got to know Laurence (who was the stepson of my inspirational Eurythmy teacher) and in time I moved up to Grasmere in the beautiful Lake District of England to be with him.
With no colleagues to work with, I learnt about working with Eurythmy in organisations and began to work with management consultants in various companies.
I also took a two year course on sculpture as well, as that I am now a painter with several solo exhibitions in London and around the U.K.
Laurence worked all his life for the National Trust and we live in a lovely house owned by them in this friendly village. I am involved in many groups here and love living in a village.
I never had children as I was so involved in my career but now have fiyr lovely grandchildren thanks to Laurence’s children. Life is very good.
Have a look at my web site: www.melissaharwood.co.uk
Don Burgess and I, on the boat back from the Continent
|
Laurence Harwood, who's godfather was C. S. Lewis
|
Our family at Laurence's 80th birthday celebration
|
Our garden in the Spring
|
A sculpture project with a local primary school-St. Oswald's (hence the owls)
|
A sample of my art-1
|
A sample of my art-2
|
A sample of my art-3
|
|
Comments
Melissa, I think you've lived a fabulous peripatetic life---one that doesn't surprise me in its uniqueness and quality. I remember our wonderful friendship starting in junior high, dancing after school to American Bandstand! It was fantastic seeing you and Laurance at the 65th and I really hope you get to join us all for the upcoming get together in October 2015. Sending you lots of love, kiddo!
Dixie Reinhardt
Dixie Reinhardt
Melissa,
We lived on the same block, five or six houses apart, and we never really knew each other. How sad. I know all us guys on the block were just jerks who played baseball or football in the street all the time. Remember Chip and Jim Enos and Larry Watson and Bobby McKillup?
Your story is fascinating. Your adventuresome spirit really took you to some interesting places and I admire the way you've become a talented artist. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us and I look forward to seeing you at the 50th.
Jeff Davis
We lived on the same block, five or six houses apart, and we never really knew each other. How sad. I know all us guys on the block were just jerks who played baseball or football in the street all the time. Remember Chip and Jim Enos and Larry Watson and Bobby McKillup?
Your story is fascinating. Your adventuresome spirit really took you to some interesting places and I admire the way you've become a talented artist. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us and I look forward to seeing you at the 50th.
Jeff Davis