Mapping the Artist: Pauli Dutton

Pauli Dutton and Kathabela Wislon.

An interview with artist Pauli Dutton, a fanciful and lyrical poet, performing artist, singer, dancer, and sometimes magician.

By Kathabela Wilson

A telescope on the poet

Every time I see you I am impressed with your exuberance, playfulness, and how you can break into song at the least opportunity, where does this come from?

I think this goes way back! I was raised mainly by my dad who by day was “a mild mannered engineer”(like Superman) who transformed at the drop of a hat into a magician, comedian, singer, actor, writer, poet, painter, and dancer—although he mainly tap danced he once did a can-can for the local PTA. He wore a skirt and everyone said he had great legs! He took my brother and me to rehearsals for the musicals he was in with the Long Beach Light Opera. We also painted scenery. When they needed children for walk-ons we got to be on stage. My favorite part of any performance was the finale when all the actors held hands and sang together. This was pure joy. In grade school I considered myself an artist, danced and sang about the house, and wrote plays which I had family members act out. I also tried ventriloquism with a Jerry Mahoney doll and coerced friends and neighbors to watch me perform. I also did my own version of magic–“Just turn your head a moment please.”

A microscope on the poet

Pauli Dutton reciting her poetry with Rick Wilson playing the flute in the background.

Poetry and performance are linked strongly in your personality from early childhood. After your family influence, how did you step out on your own?

When I was second grade, I gave my oral first book report. The tile was 100 dresses. Since I had very few clothes and often drew them like the heroine in the story, this book meant a lot to me. The thought of talking in front of the class made me very nervous. However, when I actually got up to speak I found out I loved it. This was my first taste of the thrill of performance. When I grew up, I taught small children, held other jobs, including acting and musicals, but when I finally was lured to being a librarian… my work there abounded in opportunities to be creative. I designed fliers, hosted and sometimes sang my announcement for programs on fun topics, read and sang my poetry, often when I gave a report to Town Council I would end up singing. That part of me seems to come out wherever I am.

A compass on the poet

How did you come to be a librarian, how did this affect your life and work?

I had always loved libraries. When I was little my father used to take me every week to the big Long Beach Public Library to load up on books. Libraries were my haven in my teen years. I rode my bike five miles and over a tall hill to get to the closest library in Anaheim. As soon as I entered the library, I always rushed to the ladies room to wipe off the sweat, comb my hair, and calm down. Even if I weren’t riding a bike, I could never just walk in. I had to take my time, ease in since this holy place filled with great minds and ideas that seemed to be calling to me filled me with both such exhilaration and confusion. I never knew where to start or what I might be missing.

Mapping the poet

Pauli and her husband Dick at Halloween time.

How has the place where you live and your travels influenced your work?

When we married, my husband and I took a three month trip around the country. His goal was to visit every state in the Union. I wanted to see art museums. Later, we took the Eurail Pass across Europe. We visited Germany to see the Olympics plus 10 other countries in 15 days. I was thrilled to see works I had studied in my years of Art History. I visited the Louvre three times. Although we didn’t get much sleep on the trains and survived mainly on chocolate, cheese, and orange soda, we came home in superb physical condition since we often walked eight or more hours a day. Last summer we visited our daughter in Scotland, then took a cruise to the Baltic.
Though I have delighted in and written about our travels, I’ve always loved the trees and valleys of home, and write and sing about them often.

Pulse of the poet

Pauli Dutton.

You have just retired after 30 years as a librarian. Your vitality and helpfulness as well as your dynamic heartfelt poems have touched the hearts of so many and I know you will continue, what else?

I think most of my life, I may have been a bit too responsible. I too have often had two jobs and many times have not given myself time to play. I now see how important it is. Though I still feel the need to make a contribution I right now I am signed up for all kinds of fun and ready for more. I also will be doing more writing, which means lots of naps. When I write I have to escape a bit, so I lie down on our bed for a snooze. I put a notebook near my pillow and hope some ideas turn up. Napping is still my favorite way to compose!

________________________________________________________