My Journey

I have always been aware how stuff can over take over our lives.  Whether intentional or not people find themselves with things we hold on to whether it holds meaning or not.  Perhaps it is an object given or passed down from a family member.  The object may not hold any memory except that it was grannies.  But real heirlooms have memories attached with traditions.  Maybe a serving tray or butter dish that comes out for each special meal.  

Then there are all the objects we created as kids that our parents saved.  50 years later I still have a pinch pot I created before first grade.  I moved it from house to house.  It alway was stored in the dark recesses of the kitchen cabinets.  Really, does anyone display such things, even if it could be used as an ashtray or nut dish would you?  

I grew up with family members with collections. I remember at one point my grandmother was given a bell as a gift and when she passed away her one bell turned to hundreds throughout her life.  All were given to her as gifts over her lifetime.  I have seen lives drowning in salt and pepper shakers, owls, hats, Beanie Babies and ceramic Precious Moments.  

In my house I have been cautious not to display things that could be collectable.  When my husband’s aunt passed away, his mother was in charge of her estate and her collection of about a thousand Precious Moments.  She had expressed what pieces should go to my husband and I should pick out the ones I wanted.  Of course our first thoughts were that we don’t want any of them.  But it was easy to see the pain his mother was in and I was put in charge to look to find a few that I could live with.  Live with, is the key word.  When you visit my house you would never see them on display.  Yet I have them hidden in places where I can see them everyday and be reminded of my husband’s aunt.  I have a sculpture in my panty drawer, one is in my linen closet, I have one in the cabinet next to a stack of dishes and one is in the pantry where I stack canned food.  It actually makes the task of getting a dish or a pair of panties fun and joyful. 

Beware of how stuff can multiply without warning.  It is easy to be gifted stuff that multiples to occupy shelves and then in turn occupies your mind and spirit.    

I moved into my final house, built a new art studio and my parents in law moved in and covid was starting.  Needless to say, time to manage a career was extremely tight or non-existent. I was looking for  a creative outlet and I came up with the idea to do miniature oil paintings.  I had small bits of time 15-30 min that I could paint.  I made 2 – 6 inch depending on time.  This filled my need to be creative but not my need to express what I really was feeling.  

At the same time I read the book “The Magic of Tidying up” Inspired by the book and the thought of finding joy.  I started with a very large box, the size of an oven .   I went around and found all the items in my house that were stashed away and not displayed.  I found all the little treasures I had as a kid.  It was like emptying a kid’s pocket. I put my foreign coin collection, little stones and fossils I found on my walks,   I started adding things like a broken camera that once was my grandfather used for years till I broke the shutter, small vintage tools, 

Once I finished the hunting and gathering in the house, I went to the studio and that’s where the real finds were.  The easy and obvious thing to add to the box was small pieces and left overs from previous public art projects, models from proposals, art samples from teaching workshops and experiments. 

Once I added all things I collected for still life painting or as texture reference, the box was overfilled with a mound so high the box closing it was impossible and any small bump would cause something to roll out and fall to the floor.

The box became the source for Journey Assemblage Sculptures.  I am using found objects, mementos, childhood collections, objects given to me and things I normally would throw out.  Each sculpture lightens my physical world and in turn renews my spirit.  I am giving Objects and stuff a new life. My new philosophy is that if an object is worth keeping because it brings you joy then it should be honored in a way that you can see it everyday.  

The creation of the sculptures brings me joy because I am bringing honor to what was once forgotten.   But also love the challenge to create artwork to be included in the assemblage.  I love the fact that I can create paintings, glass works, ceramics, hand printed fabrics, truly anything from my vast art making skills.    The Journey Assembles Sculptures reflect a journey in stuff but also reflect my life and a lifetime of making art.  Enjoy your trip. 

EXPERIENCE

• Wedding, Honeymoon
• First Date
• Bike Trip
• Sking
• Trip overseas
• Car racing