The Ship Galapagos

"Galapagos"
Copper, enamel, brass, glass, mixed media
14x23x6"

Yesterday I finished a ship that I've been working on for several weeks. It is the most ark-like boat that I've made to date. I wanted it to represent the journey of my life so far. Along the way there have been memories and experiences that I have kept close to me, and they are represented by the bottled "specimens" lined up on the top deck. There are talismans too, etched in brass attached to the deck just below the glass vials. In my mind they protect and also bring good spirits. I've always loved the idea from generations past, that words / letters / symbols placed 'just so' within a circle can have such powers.

Glass vials with talismans below

The "bumpers" on the side of the boat are some kind of seed dyed red - I found them at the local florist. One of those things that sit around in the studio until, at last, you figure out how to use them.

Red seed "bumpers"

The big wheel cover is a photo I took of some local chamomile weeds, along with a tiny starfish and, of course, tiny vertical stacks of the planetary signs (for my hope that there will be guidance in the days ahead of my journey).

Inspirational Glass Etching

Several weeks ago while cruising around Pinterest, I happened upon the work of glass artist Andy Paiko. Wow! Nice work. Mostly I love his imagery and the layout of those images that he has etched into his glass vessels. Cycles of the moon, planet symbols, and line-work images of insects and animals, to name a few.

But I  am also inspired by the juxtaposition of the clear glass to the bone, coral, etc that he puts inside the vessels. It seems scientific, mysterious and precious all at the same time. Perhaps a message about our evolution?

More of Andy's beautiful work can be found at his website.