Meredith
"As
she turns towards me, her hands no longer seem familiar;
her face, once recognizable, now unexpected;
her aura, a palette of changed colors,
I want to share, but can't all at once.
She is transforming, before my eyes, as if I wished it to happen,
for whatever reason -- fun, mundane or sinister -- I'm not sure.
But as she moves and evolves, a special insight occurs to me,
so I name her... "
THE GUARDIAN
... Meredith,
which means protector of the sea.
I wrote
the passage above in haste -- for fear that the experience would slip
away, as dreams do upon awakening. I thought that it would be enough;
it wasn't. The manifestation played over in my mind until I was compelled
to sculpt what I had seen. When the sculpture was complete, I decided
to set pen to paper and record the account. I realize that my story may
be unfathomable -- possibly even disturbing. Either way, it wasn't a dream.
It happened
during a chance meeting a few months ago. At the time, I was searching
for something -- anything that would stave off boredom. Inactivity had
taken over my days and I was ready for a new adventure. But I'm getting
off course -- this account isn't about me. This is Meredith's story; one
that I believe will interest you. So if you're intrigued and have a few
moments to spare, it would please me greatly if you would allow me to
unfold the rest of the story.
We have
known each other for eons; from a time when we were both free spirits
unbound by worldly concerns. We called each other "friend" but
we were more than that; as friends often are we were rivals as well. Our
differences ran deep. When it came time to choose domains I chose to dwell
on land, while she took the sea as her realm. Living in separate worlds
meant we rarely saw each other. That being said, we still cross paths
from time to time -- as if some divine providence has a hand in our lives.
At the
time of our latest encounter I had grown weary of exploring my terrain;
to console myself I decided to make a journey under the sea. The blue
aquamarine water was mesmerizing and I entered it eagerly. Once below
the waves, my enthusiasm died; the envrionment was dark and gloomy. I
took a cursory look around and decided to return to the surface -- until
I saw a distant glow. Thinking it might be something worthy of investigating,
I ventured closer. At first I believed that an apparition was forming
before my eyes -- then realized that it was a mermaid. She seemed to be
perched on a coral reef. Sunlight filtering through the water bathed over
her. It was all quite strange; I was both confused and intrigued. Oddly,
it wasn't until after I had given her a name that I realized she was my
old friend. Now I understood her transformation, as we had both taken
many forms during our lifetimes. Even so, something still bothered me
about her position. She seemed to sway with the ebb and flow of the tide,
but she appeared to be standing -- an unusual position for a mermaid.
On closer inspection, it became evident that the middle of her magnificent
tail had been overgrown by the reef. It looked as if something has ensnared
her while she was kneeling. I remained rooted to the spot; fearing I would
meet the same misfortune.
...And
yet she seemed perfectly content. Her countenance was gorgeous. Now the
earlier color changes that I had witnessed could be accounted for. Her
lower body and tail fins were multihued, a subtle compromise of blues
and greens. Delicate vines trailed across her body with small patches
of rosy skin uncovered on her torso and arms. Her pale blond hair draped
her back and glistened with golden highlights. Individual locks trailed
freely in the current. Her beauty was hard to deny; even I had to admit
that her regal bearing didn't come from artificial trappings. She was
beautiful in her simplicity.
Momentarily
blinded by jealousy, I started to leave -- but it was too late. Now that
she had turned my way, Meredith recognized my presence and beckoned me
to come closer. I complied. We greeted each other and visited about times
gone by. When I couldn't bear answering questions any longer, I inquired
about her predicament. To my amazement, she wasn't in a quandary after
all. Meredith had chosen to become the guardian of the once dying reef.
Admittely, the process had taken much longer than anticipated. Most importantly,
it meant that she had forfeited her freedom in order to protect the fragile
new life that was exploding around her as the reef rebounded. It was clear
to see -- Meredith now shared a symbiotic union with the plants and animals
that she sheltered.
Sculpting
Meredith and her reef is my endeavor to share this experience with you.
Her surroundings were designed to show the interactions among Meredith
and the organisms in their shared environment. Abstract as well as literal
interpretations of flora and fauna encircle her; all accomplished by beads
of varying size, texture, and color. The reef itself is a ridge of rock,
coral, and sand. The bottom of the atoll is covered with large dark skeletal
remains that lighten as the uneven ground rises. Intermingling with these
areas are small grained tan and beige patches of sand. New life -- symbolized
by multiple shades of greens and blues, various textures and glistening
surfaces blanket the top layer. Large white rocks and minuscule pink,
lavender, and blue flowers add contrast. Naturally, Meredith is the focal
point; her stature balances the sculpture. Her pale hair captures and
reflects light just as she did. Her smooth complexion compliments the
beaded vines that cover her. It is fitting to note that she wears no jewels.
Shells preserve her modesty instead of silks and pearls. Her crown is
a simple adornment reminiscent of the life around her. Her scepter is
an unadorned rod with a single shining jewel at the tip -- meant to serve
as a beacon to sea creatures in need of sanctuary. A large sea turtle
glides over the sparkling seascape headed toward a pallid octopus; reflecting
motion. Small orange and white Clown fish take shelter among the arms
of a sea anemone just as Meredith shelters and guards the reef.
...And
now you know Meredith's story. Take from it what you will -- disregard
the rest. It's not for me to judge. At one time, I would have been uninterested
in her plight -- now I find that I am both humbled and inspired by her
endeavor. This encounter hasn't merely changed my friend; it has changed
me as well. Meredith's dedication to protecting and preserving the future
of her realm is a call of arms for me -- possibly it will be for you as
well. ...In truth, our oceans and seas need more guardians.
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List of Materials
and Techniques Employed
Dimensions:
Basswood base to top of doll's head is 13 1/2" high
Basswood base is 11 1/2" long by 8 1/2" wide
Bottom of reef is 28" around
Middle of reef is 23" around
Top of reef is 12" around
Meredith is 9" tall.
Techniques:
basic stringing
bead
embroider
coiling and twisting wire
gluing
The majroity of beads covering the doll were first strung and then glued
to the figure. Some of the vines covering the doll were first beaded onto
acetate ribbon then the uncovered ribbon was cut away and the pieces were
then glued onto the fiture.
Several
types of stringing material were used in order to achieve the proper texture
and heights. Some of the dolls hair was glued down while other strands
were left free flowing. The doll's tail and the reef were covered by gluing
individual beads to the bsae. Polymer clay beads depicting plants were
created then strung with accompanying beads and glued into place.
Materials
List:
Beads:
aluminum, glass, howlite, plastic, polymer clay, resin, wood
Clay:
DAS Air Hardening Modeling Clay & Super Sculpy Polymer Clay
Glues:
527 mullti-use glue, Mod Podge Jewel Glue, WEldbond Universal Adhesive
Miscellaneous:
basswood plaque, brass rod, brass focal, masking tape, ribbon -- 100%
acetate and 100% polyester, Styrofoam, wire, wooden dowel
Paints
& Finishes: acrylic paint, alcohol inks, faux glazing medium, satin
varnish
Stringing
Material: beading wire, cotton cord, FireLine, nylon monofilament bead
cord, nylon quilting thread
Description
of Base:
The base is a purchased oval basswood piece that measures 11 1/2"
long by 8 1/2" wide. It was sanded, painted (acrylic paint) and sealed
with spray satin varnish.
Doll
Form:
The doll and incporated reef base was created using a large wooden dowel,
Styrofoam, masking tape and paper clay. The form was then under painted
with acrylic paint matching the color of beads that would be covering
each section.
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