As we navigate through different seasons of life, it’s important to break away from the busyness of life to rest and recharge. One way I do this is through the creative practice of sculpting. It has always served as a form of creative expression that allows me to find silence, understanding and mindful introspection. While not every sculpt turns out to be the next statue of David, what I get, is a mirror of truth in where I am in my headspace. That's what brings me back to sculpting.
When I was taking my first jewelry casting class, I had no idea what to expect. My peers and I were each given a piece of sculpting wax and we were prompted to sculpt anything within a certain dimension. At first there was a little learning curve with understanding the melting point of this particular wax and how to make the various temperatures work to your benefit. Suddenly hours would pass I and found myself in a place where I was so fascinated and invested in what I was trying to create.
Just like with learning any new skill, there is a hurdle that must be worked through and overcome. Once you familiarize yourself with the material and understand how it all works, you fall into a flow state.
Discovering this flow state allowed me to find stillness. There were countless opportunities, solutions and alternatives found in the sculpting process. It felt like my body was taking a breath for the first time and it came from creating something that was just for me. Sculpting became a place where I could explore the ideas I sought as a young artist navigating the online jewelry world.
Of course, every pursuit comes with its challenges and takeaways. There were times when I felt stuck, and it showed in the result. This usually occurred when I began a sculpture without a plan. I had to restart until it felt right. Sometimes I'd have a clear vision and that served as a map to a satisfying outcome. Although I love diving in and winging it, I discovered that it's simpler to direct myself towards completing a sculpture if I know where I'm headed.
If there were no bounds to your creative abilities, what would you create?
Sculpting is an opportunity to create something that you haven' t seen before. What will you make if you entered a space where ideas come to life?
