Greetings Friends,
Here's a nutshell example of where I feel like the 'general mood' is from a long view out: I let myself get excited about a meteor shower consisting of what was once an asteroid. It got the dubious billing of "it's going to be super spectacular!...OR... a tremendous disappointment!". Screw it I thought, I'm rolling the dice.
Recently I've been looking/hoping for an acknowledgement, or at least a nod, of some kind of positive energy descending/ascending upon mankind. I'm not talking 2nd coming or anything like that, just some good ol solid positive vibes to shine a glimmer of hope on existence. And I'm not talking about my personal goo either, which is doing exceptionally well, thank-you very much. But it's the very weird vibe all around humanity right now... out of step with one another, out of rhythm with our planet, out of touch with ourselves. It's very uncomfortable and scary.
So....
It was with much anticipation that I woke up at 1am to scour heaven's dome for the thousands of flaming jewels that I was certain would be streaking across the night sky thereby immediately restoring the world's positive juice reserves with showers of cosmic ecstasy. And I waited.
Nothing.
Then...Oooo, oooo? Nope ...it's a firefly, albeit an early one, but still, a firefly. I stood there naked as a newborn for about 20 minutes scanning the vastness for any sky born movement whatsoever and the only stars I witnessed were going nowhere fast. I did find myself wondering about getting beamed up with the stipulated hopes I wouldn't get probed. But I witnessed nothing even close to a meteor shower.
I got up again at around 3, that's AM, figuring maybe it's running late. This was made much easier given the fact I had to pee. OK. I didn't last as long scanning the sky as I had the first time I was groggy and shortly after shaking the dew off the ol lily, so to speak, I returned to bed with an empty sigh and fell immediately back to sleep.
The next morning, I chose to not think about it at all, to turn the page and move on. Survival technique. But I was left feeling like it might be harder to get so excited next time....Next time? Man.
So that was the feeling I was left with. A feeling like the answer may not be headed this way any time soon, like the tide of our humanity has washed far out to sea and it's return is no longer imminent. Things uncertain and things unanswered. Not sure exactly how the night sky connects with our humanity, funny, but I'm absolutely positive it does even if it's in ways I'll never understand.
I do have to say that somewhere about a week or so previous to this, I just happened to wake up pre-dawn one morning. I went outside and just above where the sky was slightly beginning to lighten, I saw Saturn, gleaming like a diamond stuck in a black cat's ass! It was as clear and close as I ever have seen it. I was overjoyed and for some reason I took it as a personal acknowledgment, not a collective one. I don't know why that is other than its just the way it felt to me.
Anyway, keep hope alive.
***On a Lighter Note...
I was hoping to get back to opening up my studio by now, but I'm still a little freaky-deeky about the Covid. So... until that changes I'll try to post what's going on around here on the fly but don't get your hopes up.
Also...please know that if you want to come by and see what's going on, shoot me an email or hit me up on messenger, and we can work something out. Think 1st Saturdays. I just want to avoid a lot of people at once and I only ask that you & yours are vaccinated and boosted to date. Also don't be offended if I put you to task while you're here. Most likely moving something heavy. Flip flops & high heels, unless steel toed, not really fashionable in the shop. Just sayin.
Here's what's going on:
***I recently completed a memorial marker for my friend Tony Mendez. His family came up with the concept of a quiver full of arrows, each one representing a life passion. I was humbled and honored to bring it into the physical realm and to make with my own hands, a lasting & meaningful piece for my friend one that truly honors him. RIP Tony.
***I'm happy to be getting started on Monarch Serenade. It's a private commission that I'm over the moon about. I'll post images as I go...hahaha, maybe/maybe not, most likely just bits & pieces. My engineering and structural foundations are about worked out and it'll soar to life this summer. Elements of ascension and transition (positive life energies) are the structural theme. And a one off style of steel 'filigree' (for lack of a better description) will embrace the structure as the narrative.
***I'm due in Asheville in June to work on putting my book together with Laura Ladendorf and her husband Dave, longtime dear friends and super talented at Art prints and building books etc. etc. They are building mine and I'm so happy about that. The only big hurdle for me at this juncture is that I keep changing the title. I mean really? After all this, it's the title that has bunched my creative shorts?
But it's like trying discover a couple of perfect words that speak to my writing, artwork and my life. Tall order.
Yikes.
Here are some of the titles so far....most got nixed rather quickly but others have lingered, and I have others that...well who knows...
-Hiding Behind the Outhouse, -To Live and Die in Antietam, -Postcards From the Edge (already taken), -If I Had A Hammer, -Salubrious Effluvium, -Seven Arches, -Swift Waters (Algonquin translation of Antietam). That was just this afternoon's offerings.
Most recently its been -Playing With Fire, but I've even hammered that down to simply "-Sweet Fire".
I like it and think it fits really well. All the way around.
At least for today.
***Also this summer, I have four of my Motorcycle Gas Tank sculptures included in an exhibition at King Museum of Art in Abington VA called The Open Road Art of the Motorcycle, it opens June 25th and runs through September.
So that's everything I'm up to right now. I do have some other irons in the fire...but I won't pull them out until they're glowing red. I'll update when I have something exciting to share.
Please be well and take good care of yourself and others. We are all we have.
Until we meet again: Keep your nose to the wind, your boots from the mud, your horses well watered, and may all your pastures be green!
Hi-O Silver and away!
-Scott
