Built of sterling & agua nueva.
I started sketching designs featuring Raven forms while visiting Hawaii in December. I’m not sure what made me think of them, while in the tropics. In my mind this bird is such an iconic character of the red rock desert of the Southwest and the Pacific shorelines of the Northwest. I designed a belt buckle first with a set of double banners stating:
I’ VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A HEART OF GOLD.
Iconic words constructed by Canadian rocker, Neil Young.
I’ve yet to build it, but I can feel it coming on. Coming on strong.
I can be neurotic about music. I’ll play a song on repeat in my studio, ten times in a row, I’ll swing my hammers to it. I’ll throw my head back, shake my feathers and sing out those words. Lately it’s been this:
I’VE BEEN TO HOLLYWOOD
I’VE BEEN TO REDWOOD
I CROSSED THE OCEAN FOR A HEART OF GOLD
And each time I sing it, hear the guitar and the melody line, the raven comes to mind.
February 9th, 2010
JOURNAL ENTRY MADE WHILST CROSSING THE
LANDSCAPE OF THE NAVAJO RESERVATION, ARIZONA
Under a faint sunset, amidst an isolated flurry of snow, above the rumple and ripple of red rock, a cluster of ravens wing their way into substance from the fine line of a distant horizon. I watch the ink black grace of their wind riding. I blink. I lick my lips; tuck a loose strand of hair behind an ear. I look in the rear view mirror at the pink plume of dust rising up from the pull of nobby tires on vermillion rock.
We take the road less travelled.
We go where we please.
That’s the joy of wearing wings.
What is that heart of gold, anyway?
The love of your life?
Pure intent?
Courage.
Merit.
An awareness of life span and the ability to make the most of all possibilities.
I think the ravens are searching for a heart of gold.
But not for the reasons the magpies do.
There’s no greed involved.
No need to hoard treasure like dragons.
Just the quest, the realization, the testimony at the end of it all.
This piece makes me want one.
A heart of gold.
Ringing like a bell in my chest.
One of these days I get my hands on a large piece like that. I think I'd nearly kill everyone at school with shock at the sight of it.
My WV is chipsta… is that a barista of chips? I think so.
Yo.
Baby.
You'd make this raven shine.
This is the only raven of its kind…I love that he is showing his heart, his heart of gold! I think we should all show our hearts of gold at all times..dust off our hearts! Love always!
xox
A "conspiracy" of ravens = a flock. Very much in keeping with their Machiavellian intelligence.
What an incredible work this is, J.
Neil Young is one of my musical fixations, that song is on heavy rotation in our home. You captured and defined the melody well. A talisman of joy.
…POWERFUL…BEAUTIFUL…& so FREE…xoxo
This is such a stunning exhibition of your talent. Big, important, meticulous, full of hours of meaning and work.
I love the direction of your pieces.
You have a heart finer than gold I am sure.
The last concert I saw. It was great. The words…the words…
Beautiful work.
xo
Andrea
What an amazing, stunning piece of work. Inspired by my favorite Neil Young song. Your talent is as big as the sky.
Music and nature are my two biggest inspirations, they can bring magic.
Thank you for being you, darling dear.
xo
MLJ: …yours doesn't need any dusting at all! XO
Sylvestris: Ah ha! I knew it wasn't a "murder"…..
Susie: Musical fixation is an understatement for me, when it comes to this song:) Glad to know you also have an affinity for Neil! XO
Nancy: 🙂 I'd use those words too.
Mme: These words mean a lot, coming from you.
Crow: Whew! What a concert THAT would have been! I wouldn't know whether to dance or cry or do both at once!!!
Fringe: I totally agree! Nature and music….in that order. XO
can you say STATEMENT piece?…..and what a statement it is!….love Neil, love that song…now it's stuck in my head!…
merci pour la visite!
ox K
i've been in my mind…it's such a fine line…he's my man! wow, we are just on the same flightline this week i feel…my wings and fins are busy in the midst of joy.
thank you once again…with drooping trousers, i await.;) you know what i mean.
Wow! Je l'aime. Beaucoup.
Gorgeous! Makes my heart go bump, bump!
gorgeous bird necklace , superb !!