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Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Practice of Balance

A friend recently asked me about my creative process, if there were bursts and lulls, ebbs and flows.  In thinking this over, I admitted to myself that the highs, the bursts of wild inspiration, are breathtaking and powerful and never do I feel so energized as when the tidal wave of the muse washes over me.  However, as a tidal wave is wont to do, it has the potential and power to knock me off my feet and spin me into a frothy, fizzy mess.  A beautiful and appreciated mess, but a mess all the same.  Sometimes the multitude of creative ideas, all calling out their desire to be realized can feel downright paralyzing.

And the lows are of course, low.  I tend to keep a tidier kitchen, the laundry gets caught up and I spend so much time paging back through sketchbooks, wondering what in the world I was thinking with such and such drawings.  These are the days when I know I need to just keep showing up, to constantly remind myself that what came from my head and heart still resides there, and that I will find it again.  And that maybe, just maybe, I need to rest.

But it is the middle ground that is my favorite.  That honest, sturdy place.  When the frenzy has slowed (I think my muse is a kinetic being - she is ALL or nothing and spazzy to the max), when I've had a chance to hold each idea and look at it from all sides, when I've been able to discern which ones truly must see creation and which need to germinate a while longer.  It's such a practice, such a constant search for balance.  It's like finding a runner's stride, like hearing a perfect harmony, like believing in the rhythm of your own unique heartbeat.  And it doesn't always come naturally.  Hense the practice.

So, as I tend to do, I thought about all this and let my hands work.
IMG_7065
The Practice of Balance
(sterling silver and pisco blue chrysocolla)

This ring was quite literally, a practice in balance.  The idea arrived in a flash, so I took a day to marinate over it.  That electric blue stone called out for tiny feathers so I happily obliged.  Each ball of sterling granulation was individually placed, some intuitively, others after careful consideration.  The physical balance of this ring is lovely; it cradles the finger with a rich weight, just enough to remind you of its presence.  There is a quiet breath in this ring and it wears like a token of peace.
(in the shop now)

Wherever you are today, just know I believe in your good heart.
~ Umber ~

14 comments:

Cat said...

shut the front door!!!!!!
back the truck up!!!!!
holy crap!!!!
seriously
seriously
seriously....
and it is already gone...but of course

wow
that was perfection...
balance indeed

yup
you pretty much rock
♥♥&heart;

love and light

Cat said...

ps
your words are a beautiful as your creations

you are lovely♥

MJ said...

This. is. beautiful. And I am not surprised it is gone so fast. Too fast for me and Cat, lol. Good thing I know there is more where it came from--so much more :).
xo

Cat said...

lovely, lovely work! Makes me fleetingly wish (not for the first time)my fingers were smaller.

UmberDove said...

Cat - "so good it'll make you wanna slap your grandma!" HA!

MJ - You know it lady.

Cat - xox!

dragon said...

Always spectacular, always gone.

Beth said...

I love seeing the answer in your creation. It's a gorgeous answer & ring.

UmberDove said...

Dragon - and I am always utterly grateful!

Beth - I have you to thank. Keep asking. I love the need to answer.

Joyful said...

I love it! I didn't get a chance to "see it" in the Etsy shop. Sounds like many had the same experience. You rock girl ;-)

prairiegirl said...

My heart is beating like the blue-black wings of the bird who left you those feathers. The creative work of those ten fingers of yours just blows me away.

Allisunny S. said...

Dovely oh Friend....

I am smiling ear to ear to see your thriving art fly into the intended hands:

you are wonderful.
xoxox
A

Farm and Field said...

Thank you for writing this. Between you and The Plume, exploring my own creativity has been much less fraught with anxiety, and much more joyful and forgiving. So very glad I found both of you. Enjoy the weekend!

pencilfox said...

i love all this about you. especially that creation flows so balanced from your heart and soul through your hands....

candacemorris said...

whoever got that ring is one lucky biatch. i would have snatched it up had i seen it sooner and had it been in my size. someday...