Turning thoughts into something tangible and real is the magic of alchemy.
As a child, I had a deep inner knowing that my life was going to be BIG. I felt protected.
I've never done things 'as they should be done' and it's cost me dearly, at times
However,I'm blessed. I have taken the time to learn many skills. I feel immense gratitude for the lessons I've learned as I have traveled the many bumpy, messy roads to develop these skills.
At 18, the youngest of 3, living in a small town in rural Ohio with a population of 15,000, I was naive, sheltered and completely awestruck when my mom, oldest brother and I visited the middle brother in Seattle...A HUGE and absolutely gorgeous city of half a million people. I didn't quite comprehend there was much beyond Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
I was so very wrong.
My eyes were opened, and I was ready for the adventure.
After 11 days of life altering experiences
I made a decision, worked for a year, saved all my money, and with trepidation and a hell of a lot of courage... I moved to Seattle.
Nothing about the move was easy. I moved in with my brother and his girlfriend. He was bossy and protective. I was obstinate and rebellious. As fast as i could, I moved out and got my first apartment. Oh jeeeez. Trouble was never far behind me.
The original plan was to attend the Seattle Art Institute and to get a job on a cruise ship. Plans change.
The need to create did not change.
I went about my education in a very unconventional way.
I'll save the stories of parties and debauchery for another post and focus on the ways I manifested access to so many opportunities that have helped me to round out my skills bringing me to where I am today.
I studied by way of living and working in many cities with people from all walks of life as well as reading and devouring as much information as possible.
At 19, I took a position as manager for a retail company, relocating around the US when the company needed to bring a store back from declining sales. I was the clean up crew. I was a kick ass crew and played the part well.
Around age 24, I changed direction completely and enrolled into a school to be an AVEDA Esthetician, studying Ayeurvedic medicine, skin care, body treatments and pressure point massage, I studied Yoga and taught healthy living. I was very much alive in my body.
I studied pottery and sculpture with a private Ceramics professor and Archeologist for 8 years as a way to balance my serious 'career life.'
At 28, on a spontneous whim, I signed up for a welding class. During that class the teacher was attentive to my frustration with simply "gluing sticks together" and realized my need to manipulate and transform the steel's shape and form. He sent me to the Blacksmithing class.
Like a lightning bolt- steel finally made sense to me.
Clay and steel submit to the hands or hammer of the creator. The tools to transform are held with the sole intention to manipulate and alter. Nothing made more sense to me than that. I can lose myself for hours.
The relationship reveals itself. One must pay attention to what the material can withstand and stop before it goes too far and breaks or crumbles. A practical life lesson.
I'm an Artist. Materials are just an extension of my thoughts and organization.
I think and process as I work. It's not always pretty and it doesn't make sense to everyone.
Perhaps steel is my favorite medium because of the needed heat to alter the form. I am bold, though I can be soft when necessary.