The Story of Emissary: When you argue with your artwork
Here’s where I got into a power struggle with a sculpture. I started out making a bust with a ceramic nest on her head, imagining a little swallow or sparrow or wren would be a nice addition, but this girl had a mind of her own.
“I want a heron!”
“No way am I making a heron. In the first place, everyone does herons and it’s cliché.”
“You’re doing one anyway,” she insisted
“But I’ve never made a heron. I don’t know how,” I reminded her.
“You’ll figure it out.”
“What about those long skinny legs?” I whined.
“You’ll figure it out.”
I should have known better than to argue.
With gallery owner, Andrew Vallee, at the opening of Fowl Play.
I did figure it out and when she was finished I began to research heron mythology. I learned herons are thought to be messengers, so I named her Emissary and she was ready for her debut at the annual invitational bird show at the Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison, WA.
A couple fell in love with her there and bought her on the spot, but . . . they were very nervous about transporting her with those long skinny legs and asked if I would deliver her to their home, which I was happy to do. I packed her up carefully, protecting the legs from jostling in the car, but a big surprise lay ahead!
When we arrived at Marie and Patrick’s home, I was stunned to see that they live right beside a heron rookery! Clearly, the message was from the sculpture to me, the artist, saying I needed to make a heron so this piece could to go to its rightful home. Marie and Patrick are thrilled to have her and sent me this photo of her watching over their household.
