Ozymandias

"I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."

Make It Count

Last weekend at Make It Vancouver (http://www.makeitproductions.com/) was simply awesome. A wall-to-wall crush of people for the full three days, great music and a totally upbeat atmosphere. There were some interesting outfits being sported, including a mohawk-haired woman in Buzz Lightyear pajamas (I know Vancouver is casual, but seriously?). And I'm not sure about adults wearing furry animal hats with ears. To each his/her own, I know...I know...not judging, but did make for some good people watching. For those that were wondering, maybe the only one person out there, I've decided to include the poem that is featured on my cuff bracelet that I wear all the time. It is called "Ozymandias," by Shelley, and it struck me the first time I read it in Literature 12 and it still speaks to me now.

Okay, so apparently I can't copy and paste it into this entry so the poem gets it own blog entry. I'm not that technical and it's taking too long to figure out.

Anyway, this poem is important to me because it clearly signifies how humankind's quest for domination over this planet and each other is ultimately futile. Nothing we build now, no wars, no endless quest for greed and excess - none of it will matter because in time, we all turn to dust. I'm not trying to be depressing. But I am tired of the relentless need to shop that consumes North America. With the coming of American Thanksgiving this week, and the news anchors already gearing up to cover the line ups, chaos and maybe even more deaths by shopper stampede, it puts me off even thinking about presents. We don't need anything. None of us really do. Does this make me sound like a hypocrite? Here I am making jewelry that I really want you to buy but I'm saying "hey, don't shop." I like giving gifts. I like seeing someone receive something that makes them feel special - that's a great feeling and it can be wrapped up in a pretty package. But we need to chose thoughtfully - not just whatever is on special, or the latest gadget just because it's what everyone has.

And even more importantly, we need to treat each other better in the here and now. Be kinder, be more understanding, be forgiving of other's foibles. While our buildings and bodies will eventually crumble, we can at least control the here and now and make it worthwhile. We won't be remembered for having the biggest house, or the most stuff, but we will be remembered for being simply a good person. I've recently been dumped by a friend for some unknown unforgiveable sin - several weeks of nonstop migraines, lots of product to build so no time for long phone convos, too big a muffin top - I really don't know. I fell out of touch for a couple of weeks and boom - not on the cool list anymore. No hard feelings on my part- disappointed that it happened when I don't know what I did, but I'm not going to grovel. If that is what she wants, then I guess the relationship wasn't what I thought it was. I've been mulling it over constantly to try to figure it out, but no more. I can't keep blaming myself for being busy and in a pain-killer induced stupor. It's not what I would do to someone, but as I said before, to each their own. I wish her well.

So hopefully tonight I will actually sleep and not rehash anymore. Insomia and migraines. Great combination. Anyway, back to work making more gifts....I'm doing two charm bracelets for some high school coaches. Each charm will have the number of a player on it. It's a very thougtful gift that will be remembered. The kind that brings a smile to one's face and the warm feeling inside that you really matter to someone and won't be easily forgotten or dismissed.

What's in a Name?

So in helping Lily do a bit of research on the Notre Dame cathedral the other day, we came across an interesting fact about the origins of the word "gargoyle." It is derived from the latin word "gurgulio," which means throat or gullet. In actuality, the gargoyles on the cathedral are drainpipes, hence the name - the water "gurgling" through their throats. In archetectural terms, gargoyles are functioning drainpipes, non-water spouting gargoyle-like creatures are simply known as "grotesques." There are over 5000 gargoyles at Notre Dame. I guess I have 9 "grotesques" sitting around me at home. Neither Guido nor Salvatore (yes, I name them), spout water, but they do make me happy (they are both smiling). Lily thought this little tidbit about what gargoyle means simply hilarious. So yes, I guess Pink Gargoyle is really Pink Drainpipe.

But still, I really appreciate that a true gargoyle has both form and function. I like that in modern art and architecture too. Pretty objects are lovely, but if they also serve a useful purpose, then so much the better. When I was in my painting phase, I worked first on clothing before moving to larger and larger pieces of furniture. While I decorated these pieces with themes of mythology, or mexican tile designs, each still had a functional purpose. Frankly, you can't argue with the absolute perfection of an iconoclastic Eames chair. I don't pretend that my work was ever so lofty, but still even my painted wooden pepper mills served a need. Does my jewelry? The function is pretty basic - accent an outfit and flatter the wearer by being comfortable and easily wearable. The form - well, that continues to evolve.

I am glad that the season for markets and craft shows is winding down. I have another 5 weeks to go. But I am already chomping at the bit to move on and let my art evolve. I have a list of new skills and techniques to learn during the winter and spring so that I can continue to expand on my vision of what Pink Gargoyle means to me and, hopefully, to you.