As said in the introduction a few weeks back this exhibit https://jemsmind.com/wild-things/ had a vision to compile a collection of pieces that help celebrate welded art. As well as, important environmental issues that we need to address for the better of us all. But there are unseen depths of every celebrated piece.
The lead up to this stunning exhibit helped me explore more of where my inspiration came from. Here is the beginning of the evolution of that deeper meaning.
An area that should be shared because every ray of light should be passed on.
For this life is about the passing of energy…
So feel life…
Find what makes you feel good…
All well sharing that time and feelings, with people around you…
Create pockets of goodness everywhere you can…
For the roller coaster of life is unpredictable, so be your own biggest fan…
So without further ado below is a behind the scenes experience leading into “The Drift”…
Weeks Leading up to submission; (April/May 2022)
It’s been busy over here. I still need a bit of time…
Things are coming along. I’m onto painting soon…
As for stuff about me, pointers…
I have a personal blog where you can check out whatever you want to know about me, as personal as you want to go really.
Here’s an example of a welding related article.
I was also a teen mom who went into a career in welding technology because I wanted to be able to support myself and my daughter.
Note: I added 5 unpainted fish to the coral area representing my family and I navigating through this world of light and dark.
Or do they want the perspective of…
I was just introduced to a company called Norwex September 2020. Love their mission and product. They had a sea turtle (now seal) pillow, where a portion of the proceeds goes to “Washed Ashore” https://www.norwexmovement.com/partnerships/ to help fund clean up and creation of the waste from our shorelines into something beautiful, yet sickening. (Something that you may be interested in looking at anyway, as I believe the majority of the structures that they attach all of the plastic waste to is metal construction…)
The sea turtle caught my eye during my first introduction. I didn’t realise until a few weeks later how kismet it was for me to be connected with this. As, on October 15th 2020 a little warrior who I have been following her whole life, succumbed to the cancer she had been fighting for more than half her life. https://jemsmind.com/introducing-arya/
How does the turtle connect? Well she got to go on a Make-a-Wish trip to Hawaii and got some cool photographs of the sea turtles. https://aryasjourney.wordpress.com/aryas-adventures/
When I heard of her passing I was in shock. Silly I suppose as her diagnosis was terminal. Nonetheless I felt her energy and a part of the pain her family is feeling. Two weeks after her passing I decided to start a side gig business with Norwex. Where my first purchase was the sea turtle sent to Arya’s family. The fabric has micro silver woven in which is a bacterial inhibitor. Making the fabric more resistant to bacterial growth, requiring less washes between uses. With proper care and use of course. Where I felt the connection to support a grieving family with possibly a memory. As well as, a pillow to cry in as often as needed.
Nothing will ever make loss feel right or resolved, but remembering and being reminded of the love through moments that happen daily is the closest connection I have found. https://jemsmind.com/one-more-is-never-enough/
With that, I have to say the turtle has stuck with me. When this biodiversity welded art exhibit came up and I thought of the materials I had to create with, the turtle resonated. All coming full circle with our house using all our Norwex to reduce our plastic waste. To remove paper towel waist. To remove toxic chemicals that potentially could be a reason why so many young people (all people) are affected by cancers so much more commonly these days???…!!!
So “The Drift” represents Beauty and anguish… Beauty of what our planet has to offer when nourished properly. The anguish of death and destruction from neglect, poisons and greed. It also could allude to the trash continents adrift in our world’s oceans. I think there’s five, which is crazy when you think about it… Here’s an article to check out on that. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-pacific-garbage-patch
The turtle adrift through the light and dark. Spending it’s days blowing bubbles and eating them. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20160624_Loggerheads_can_be_divas_and_other_facts_to_be_learned_at_the_Adventure_Aquarium_s_Sea_Turtle_Cove.html
But potentially looming in the darkness, plastic straws and can rings that act as a proverbial cancer. Something that may slowly restrict air flow or ability to eat, thrive, stay alive… How long can one survive…
This piece represents the physical and metaphorical beauty and toxicity surrounding our world.
I integrated a solo turtle as a representation of each individual adrift in life. How often are we blinded by The daily grind… https://jemsmind.com/lake-horizon-sky-clarity/
Seemingly carefree in the light, until some form of darkness sets in.
But you pick it up with some light …
Find new directions…
Lead.
Learn and share. While learning to value self.
And live in the now…
To take control of life and make choices that are good for the now and future. As the past and present has/is showing us the way we can NOT keep travelling…
JEMI
P.S. Please check out the link below to dive deeper into what our house uses to reduce wastes and toxicity. You will also find some light and love. For the journey is always a constant path of learning and evolving.
P.S.S.
This post has been sitting ready for some time waiting for the right moment. Today feels right… Sending love, light and elephant sized hugs to my friend in B.C. on her Birthday.