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.