favorite things

Still transitioning ... but while I've been circling my worktable, poking at things, pulling out drawers and rifling through bins, I was struck by all the wonderful stuff that surrounds me while I work ... stuff that supports my work, stuff that inspires me, stuff that amazes me, stuff that fuels me.  People may scoff at owning too much stuff, go all zen and say we shouldn't form attachments to our stuff.  But I'm here to say that, as an artist, these precious bits are most assuredly the stuff of my life, essential and comforting, bringing unheralded joy on a daily basis.

I present a few of my favorite things ...

the tools of my trade ...

well worn Swanstrom flush cutters, handmade steel "pokie" tool from the very first PMC tool kit circa 1997, ball peen hammer that belonged to legendary Asheville architect Anthony Lord

you've seen these before ... chunks of beeswax that my grandfather used in his shoe repair business, early 1900's

decision making tools ... dowsing rods made by my big brother and a housewarming gift for the new digs

couldn't get anything at all done without copious amounts of tea - PG Tips or Earl Grey or kombucha - always in my Julie Covington mug

visual juice ...

I cannot overstate the importance of visual juice ... in this case it's wonderfully tactile as well ...

this curious mineral specimen was in a box of lapidary stone I bought at an estate sale ... no idea what it is, but it makes me happy just looking at it

this glorious vintage jar with its divine patinated lid is full of collected rocks and shells - lovely bits from places we've lived and visited

probably my favorite collection of things ... white treasures of the sea ... shells and bones, teeth and pebbles in a hand forged steel bowl

I honestly can't imagine sitting down to work in some Spartan environment.  While my space is relatively neat and orderly, even fairly minimal in comparison to many of my artist friends' studios, it functions well and has everything I need for comfort and creativity and my life as a maker.

with deep gratitude ... kvk