I’ve been working on a series. Secretly. My sensory experiences in Hawaii have been settling in to my right brain, stewing, forming a multi-hued ribbon of infinite length. I put a hand up to my ear on Friday and felt a satin tip there, tucked away with my hair, I gave it a tug and a silken idea fell to the floor in a shimmering cascade:
The fine secrets carried about on the soles of our feet, clinging like sand particles, up from the shores of the sea. We make delicate trails between the skyscrapers, up and down sidewalks, down into subway tunnels. A rumor pool forms in front of a hot dog stand while we thoughtfully request:
mustard, ketchup and a smattering of onions, please.
RUMORS OF THE SEA ARE EVERYWHERE…
SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE.
I wrap the salt breeze in my hair, hop a plane and fly home to the dry, interior mountains of Idaho, far from any sea. When I walk by the river, or climb the towers above town, I leave a trail of rumors behind. I let slip rumors of the sea with every toss of my head, with every touch of a tree branch. I brought it home with me, though I didn’t know it at the time. I carried it lightly. Now I’m leaving an involuntary trail, with every step I take:
Rumors of the Sea
Rumors of the color, texture, shapes and sound found there:
under water,
buried in the sand
rolling over my skin in warm waves
peering out from secret pockets of coral hearts
What is a rumor anyway?
an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, person or place…
What does the sound, smell, taste and feel of the ocean look like?
Can I take the memory of my senses and create tangible pieces of art — small scale sculptures –based on what I heard, smelled, tasted, felt and witnessed?
Can I describe the facets of my surprise? Can I make them manifest?
WHEN THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE, ARE THE TANGIBLE PIECES OF JEWELRY I MAKE SIMPLY RUMORS, UNVERIFIED ACCOUNTS OF THE SEA AND ALL SHE HOLDS, OR WILL SOMEONE VERIFY THEM FOR ME –– WILL SOMEONE STAND UP BESIDE ME AND SAY “THINGS LIKE THIS DO EXIST...I TOO HAVE SEEN“
Those are a lot of questions for a few pieces of jewelry, wrought of hand and mind…
I’m trying, to make my memories manifest, with metal, glass, stone, pearl and coral, of course.
Rumors of the Sea: a series of 7.
Coming on strong.
This piece is a marvel…do I say "phantasmagorical" yet again??? It sure applies! Organic wet opalescent cephalopod sheen, burrow-holes, hiding-places, a pearlescent eye (or peeking creature), a pink-ticked brush so different in texture yet equally soft…and I love the way the bezel drapes and clings. Can you see me smiling?
I knew you would smile.
Madame, as a true ocean baby, you take my breath away…again, my favorite until the next!
xox
As a fellow ocean worshiper….I have to tell you how beautiful this is. A mix of weathered rock and seaweed and a dash of mollusk. This is such a piece of ART i have no words.
Beautiful work, Plume. Can't wait to see all the others!
!!
This is one of my favorite pieces!
Beautiful!
Magnificent!
word verification: sings …as in, this beautiful new piece sings a song of the sea!
Oh, Jillian…… that is Hawaii.
xoxoxox,
A
Amazing and so very Exquisite! I love it, and can't wait to see the others!! 🙂
stunning.
'tis indeed a piece of aloha for adorning some pretty lady! so special.
死亡是悲哀的，但活得不快樂更悲哀。..................................................
ou Jillian! this is incredible! i had involuntarily begun to construct some oceanic pieces over the summer.
( http://www.flickr.com/photos/15632396@N06/3924409085/ ) the joys of the seas are hidden everywhere… it is little wonder our hearts hold on so effortlessly to all the natural wonder of the ocean.
Your creation is absolutely stunning! 🙂
o……m…….g……..
Thanks for all of these really lovely comments, chickadees!
oh its truly beautiful!
Magical!!! you took my breath away Ms Plume!
Jillian your words still me. Beautiful. This piece is incredible and I love the flowing line of bezel around the piece, truly exceptional.
(you do know it's a treat to come visit your blog!)
Everywhere we go we carry a bit of the place back with us. Those who tell us our lives will get back to the ordinary do not realize that they too have left behind the pieces of their soul and replaces them with the "rumors" of that which they have seen and smelled and felt and heard.
Gorgeous work Jillian!