It was in July of 1995 when I walked into an art exhibit with a friend. An artist, displayed a smile of pride on his face as he sat atop a plain and simple stool. Each piece of art was carefully centered on a lit pedestal for the ultimate source of one's viewing. The artist explained that the art pieces were made of hard, clear acrylic plastic. The pieces illustrated nature as well as told their own distinct story verbalized by the artist etchings. Mike kept a watchful eye as, one by one, the spectators approached for a closer view. It was evident in his facial expressions that he treasured these art pieces as the dear friends they were when first he brought them to life. As I studied them, one at a time, I could see the artist revealing his love of nature in his work. Then my eyes caught what I considered to be the master of them all. It was not the largest, by far, but captured a little bit of each surrounding piece into one total composition. I lifted it from its safe bed and cradled it in both my hands to get the feel of its texture. Smooth!
I must have given Mike a slight heart attack at this point. But he approached and graciously began to talk with me, attempting to hide his concern over my fondling one of his works. To offer some reassurance, I mentioned to him that I was quite aware of the treasure at my fingertips. I continued to explain that this one in particular, caught my eye and instantly became my favorite because it captured just a little bit of all of his work in one grand showing. He smiled more comfortably now as my sincerity in sharing his love of art was showing. His conversation also started to open up a little more and he answered all my questions regarding the tools, time, texture, and craftsmanship of the sculptures. A look of astonishment come over my face as he explained that he uses dental tools for etching the pictures, and that it is the same acrylics used in the windows of airplanes. Upon further investigation, I began to realize that while the etchings themselves were small, when looking through the glass, each style of etching took on a sometimes larger and different appearance than what the actual carving had formed. What you saw when you looked at the back and underside of the piece was the work itself, but what you saw from the front vantage point was the reflection of the art. It captivated me and kept me wanting to discover more.
I continued to walk around the exhibit, and safely tucked my treasure under my arm. Mike kept a watchful eye, though he now was aware that I wasn't going to steal his treasure, or did I after all? We began a discussion of the price of each of his works of art. Money is just a medium for obtaining pleasure. But my desires would seem to be more often in line with the farthest realm of my means. I was willing to make some sacrifices though, for the privilege of enjoying the pleasures found in cherishing one of his works of art. As I studied each piece in greater detail, Mike's smile revealed once more, that he was aware that I knew the value of my new found treasure. Somewhere between the onset of two strangers meeting and exchanging handshakes, and our friendly farewell, he managed to lower the price considerably, and for that I will always be truly grateful.
Thanks to Mike, this treasure now resides among other priceless treasures in my home. Treasures to be shared in conversation or enjoyed in quiet. But let me describe the piece itself to you for your viewing pleasure. Since you won't be able to view my treasure in person, I'll describe it as best I can.
Studying Mike's art stimulates one to search once more within oneself to awaken our own abilities for capturing moments that would be frozen in our minds, and then to set them free for others to enjoy for eternity. I call my piece "One Split Second in Time." This would appear to be the best way to illustrate what the eye is permitted to view through each of his works of art. The clear acrylics allow for no distortion from needless use of colors, but instead, when set in the light, gives birth to its own elusive array of colors that appear to bounce and reflect throughout the art piece itself.
My eyes first caught sight of a large bird, wings widespread. The bird has just gracefully glided past the empty limbs of an overhanging tree and is drawing near the top of the still water surface. The two are about to converge. The moment I am allowed to view is that split second in time before the bird arrives at the top of the water and the initial splash enters the air.
My eyes then gradually meander beneath the surface of the water, to discover a landscape that nature and time have created in the calm and serenity of this unique world. Imagine a world with miniature brittle fragments of driftwood, configured to extend upward throughout the sandy depths, both vertical and pitched, as skyscrapers of an underworld metropolis. Lightweight twigs are precisely scattered, and furnish the illusion that they would break in a split second if any other life form were to strike their brittle edges.
Round, smooth stones create a walkway my eyes then follow, leading my view to other stones, and then finally to it's very bottom. The base of this artwork is intricately etched to permit viewing of indeed one more texture that would seem to illustrate sediment that, if touched, would reshape itself on-goingly.
As I now study the floor of this secluded universe, my eye captures the ever-so-fine hair-like fibers of grass, stretching back up and out of the water, continuing to extend upward, approaching the same overhanging tree branches which earlier caught my eyes.
Now, it's been some time since I started studying the work. The sun has altered its location and the light has changed. I begin to behold the frozen moment one more time -- but this time, in a little different light that presents a little different view!
