The Naturalist Series
Kelly Clark
I began working on this series the minute Spring began rebirthing in the Pacific Northwest. Although to be honest, I think I've always been working on these as long as I've consciously chosen to sink my feet down into the earth.
When a dear friend was visiting last week, we got to talking about them, this particular vein of making that has me so electrified-obsessed-trilling-like-a-robin with every hammer swing. They are like small vignettes of the earthy treasures I constantly fill my pocket and line windowsills with. They are the manifestation of my sketchbook field notes, carefully observed bits of growth and green. They are unabashed praise of nature, a claiming of wild heritage, a wide eyed refusal to be tamed by concrete. But I think even more than all this, they are a claiming of being present, of rooting deep and growing strong Right here, this very second, I am, we are breathing in and out on this incredible planet, filled with the push and pull of cycles. We share our molecules with the trees, fill our noses with the blooms of Spring and know far more bird song than we even realize. We are here. We are alive. No one can possibly know what tomorrow brings, but we can dig deep into our now.
This is my now. I live for unwavering growth and the rise of new life. I live for the secret beauties of the earth, the good work of life churning in pods and deep rock. I live for taking up all my space in the here and now yet remaining a breathing, beating part of the great life cycle. I live for hugging trees, walking barefoot, watching dolphins, steaming tea cups, and dirty jeans.
Tell my friends, what is it you're living for today?
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p.s. These four pieces of new life, plus the brand new Messages sea stones and a handful of Odonata post earrings will be in today's shop update, commencing at 10am pst!