Another note, sculpture journal entries.
Today I worked on the maple wood stump embedded with, a metal engine cover, likely from a Model T Ford. It looked as though the metal cover was being eaten by the tree.
At first, I thought that the piece was maybe going to speak about nature eating technology. I had the notion that I would possibly carve fingers and toes and perhaps feet into the roots. Unexpectedly as I was cleaning up the roots I noticed a body shape within the root structure. Initially, I was undecided as to which side of the body-shaped root was to serve as its “front’.” I cleaned the surface of the root. The back of a body form appeared on the left. From another perspective the back appeared on the opposite side. Am I to carve it choosing one form? Or both? After much soul-searching and contemplation my answer surfaces as a resounding: both! Both are subtle yet unmistakable. Upon cleaning the root, two more forms emerge-one male and one female.
A passerby suggests the piece might express something about intellect and spirituality. I agreed-it seemed like a fitting possibility.
I continue. I am enjoying carving the piece. I feel that it is becoming a particularly good piece.
And another day
Carving brings new revelations. Moving my work light reveals more definition, trans-formative shape-shifting.
As carving continues, contemplation too continues.
I am realizing something important: that I have not been present. I have been rushing to finishing the piece, rushing to the future. As I carve to give more definition to another form within the piece, I begin to understand that it is of prime importance to be both, present and patient throughout the process. There is still much to understand from the piece, if I take time to listen.