Presence
I made my offering there, on the edge of the ridge overlooking the valley and the coyote circle. Each piece that had called to me knew exactly where to go.
Yesterday, on my walk in the park, I began collecting almost as soon as I began walking on the trail. Black walnuts shells split open, exposing beautiful heart-like chambers, perfectly split. What animal here can split these shells? I collected a few in my pocket and continued on my way.
Later, as I was headed down into a ravine, I found a beautiful lattice-like seed pod from a wild cucumber, dried out, dimensional, like the most intricate weaving. I held it, marveling.
About halfway through my walk, as I was coming up to the ridge, I heard a whole family of coyotes howling, yipping, making insane un-canine sounds, celebrating a kill. I howled along with them, imagining the pack together in the dense underbrush.
As I walked on, I came to an area with sticks scattered everywhere, all about the same size. So I gathered a handful of sticks and carried them with me. Underneath the eucalyptus trees blooming bright, almost fluorescent with yellow blossoms made of strands and filaments, I gathered the hard, bright red caps that fell when the buds opened, like a shell cast off as the flower blooms.
On a whim I went through the undergrowth to a spot I don’t usually visit, with a beautiful view of the valley. It looked like the coyotes had been sleeping there, the grass was tamped down in an almost perfect circle.
I made my offering there, on the edge of the ridge overlooking the valley and the coyote circle. Each piece that had called to me knew exactly where to go. I had no preconceived idea, I just began laying out the sticks in a semicircle facing the valley, the wild cucumber heart in the middle, surrounded by a pattern of red eucalyptus caps. Tiny heart-like black walnuts flanked the heart. I found bright white chips, shards of rock and used those to highlight the design.
I heard a rustling in the grass below on the hillside, and suddenly, coyotes came through the grass. They saw me and ran back down the ravine. I wanted them to be able to come back to the circle, my offering facing the valley, overlooking this beautiful spot. Before leaving I gave thanks to the nature spirits, offering my heart, my attention, my energy, my gratitude for what comes through me. An offering to my father for his support as well, as he has recently passed to the other side, and I feel his spirit watching me, visiting occasionally in different forms.
The act of gathering, of noticing, of collecting, is a pure act of presence, of listening. I collect the things I’m called to, without preconception, without purpose. I quickly become very sensitive to that call.
It’s a returning. I’ve always naturally been able to respond and to collect, to notice, to be drawn in to the littlest things, to hear that call. I’ve always been the person to find the four-leaf clover, the arrowhead in the stream, the perfect rock, allowing my attention to be finely tuned to those things.
It feels like I’m returning to an ancestral connection. This is what I’ve always done.
We are the artists, the herbalists, the healers. We cultivate, collect, create. The voices haven’t gone, you just have to be very, very present to hear them.
Elevating Custom Projects with Clear Communication and Visual Assets
As an artist navigating the realm of custom projects, I've cultivated a lifetime of creative experience that fuels my passion for innovation and excellence. Drawing from my background as a surface pattern designer and web designer, I've developed a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates both digital and analog tools to bring my artistic vision to life.
As an artist navigating the realm of custom projects, I've cultivated a lifetime of creative experience that fuels my passion for innovation and excellence. Drawing from my background as a surface pattern designer and web designer, I've developed a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates both digital and analog tools to bring my artistic vision to life.
In the early stages of a project, I create test paint swatches by hand, allowing me to explore color palettes and textures with a hands-on approach. There's something inherently intimate and intuitive about the act of physically mixing and applying paint, providing invaluable insights into the nuances of hue and saturation.
Complementing this analog exploration, I also utilize digital tools to create mock-ups and color designs, offering a holistic perspective on the design process. Digital mock-ups enable me to experiment with proportion, silhouette and color with unparalleled ease and precision, while physical maquettes provide a tangible representation of the design in real life, allowing me to visualize the desired final effect.
The integration of both analog and digital tools not only enhances the creative process but also facilitates clear communication and collaboration with clients and collaborators. By providing visual assets that bridge the gap between imagination and reality, I empower fellow artists, designers, and consultants to articulate their vision with confidence and clarity.
With over five years of dedicated practice and refinement, I've developed a systematic approach that streamlines every step of the collaborative journey. The integration of analog and digital tools is not merely a means to an end but a transformative journey that enriches the creative process and fosters deeper connections with collaborators.
Whether it's creating my art in the studio or collaborating on commissioned pieces, my goal is always the same: to exceed expectations and inspire awe. At the core of my artistic ethos lies a deep-seated commitment to excellence and innovation.
Symmetry in Art and Design
In the world of art and design, symmetry often serves as a mechanism for establishing order within a composition. By creating balanced and harmonious arrangements of elements, symmetry brings a sense of stability and organization to an otherwise chaotic or disparate visual space. It provides a framework through which the viewer can navigate and interpret the artwork, helping to establish a sense of coherence and unity.
My exploration of symmetry began when I immersed myself in the world of print and pattern design. It emerged as a subtle yet potent tool that imbued my work with a sense of harmony and rhythm.
In the world of art and design, symmetry often serves as a mechanism for establishing order within a composition. By creating balanced and harmonious arrangements of elements, symmetry brings a sense of stability and organization to an otherwise chaotic or disparate visual space. It provides a framework through which the viewer can navigate and interpret the artwork, helping to establish a sense of coherence and unity.
My exploration of symmetry began when I immersed myself in the world of print and pattern design. It emerged as a subtle yet potent tool that imbued my work with a sense of harmony and rhythm.
In my artistic lexicon, I refer to symmetry not as a flawless mirror image, but rather as an imperfect reflection of nature's beauty.
It's this imperfection that lends a sense of humanity to the patterns I create—a reminder that it is not the product of machines, but rather the expression of organic beauty.
There's something inherently captivating about imperfect symmetry. It creates an invitation to explore the mysteries hidden within the subtle variations, and speaks to our innate curiosity, drawing us closer to examine the inconsistencies and variations of each design.
Symmetry goes beyond mere aesthetics. It's a powerful organizing principle that sets up an expectation of order amidst the chaos. Through countless hours of practice and refinement, I've developed a keen sensitivity to the spatial relationships between elements. It's a skill that has become second nature to me, guiding my hand as I create patterns that captivate the eye and stimulate the mind.
In the delicate symmetry of a flower petal or the asymmetrical beauty of a leaf, I find endless inspiration. It's a reminder that symmetry is not just a human construct, but rather a fundamental principle and a powerful force that shapes our perceptions and experiences of the world around us.
