Reflections on the Process
I must say that I find the carving process on the piece to be amazing. Letting myself go, relaxing, and having my relaxed mind take care of telling the carving tools what to do and where. I have merely allowed myself through trust, that is, a believing in possibility–along with undivided presence, to access the information. I have approached it on faith, or possibly trust. This project has provided a terrific sample of the results of showing trust. As usual, it sounds much like a paradox. That is probably a good indication that we’re living life or seeing it as it really is. As a pair of ducks! No, no, not to be taken too seriously, just seeing a play on words.
Notes continue
I was fascinated with the whole process, particularly the evolution of the process. I woke up enthusiastic to begin each day with this driftwood being the primary focus of attention. Putting the situation another way, I did not do the carving thinking, “Hey, why don’t I carve an undulating canoe, why don’t I wrap an orca whale under the bow of the canoe? And the whale? It will share its head with that of the otter. Maybe I will carve a herculean human with arms outstretched, wearing a bald eagle headdress, entwined, connected to, another human.” No, these were certainly not my conscious intentions.
Certainly, transformation was in progress. Root ball driftwood piece becomes two interconnected paddles, becomes sculpted “Transformation.” The transformation process had been subtle, unconscious, yet out of this unconsciousness, conscious awareness awakened, and “Transformation” became visible, tangible. As its sculptor, I too was changed, transformed.
I began thinking of what I was going to carve in the piece, thinking that I was going to carve two interconnected paddles. Instead, I had released my grip on my paddle concept. I went with the flow of the wood. I went with the canoe. “Transformation” evolved. I was no longer doing what I had in mind.
I pondered, I questioned. How might all this tie in with my decision to explore the intuitive? Why have I carved these unusual paddles? What might paddles be about? The canoe: it is associated with paddles, and possibly associated with journeys. I pondered.
Dorsal of Orca
