It has been 4 days since I returned from the huge, International Polymer Clay Association’s conference in Baltimore.  I am still in a bit of a daze.  It was only the second conference of it’s kind.  Synergy 2; Exploring Connections.  All I can say is; “WOW!”  ( and I have had some college education…and some creative writing under my belt…) I had the great fortune to have attended the first conference two years ago.    With the theme of “exploring connections”, we were encourged by the speakers to explore ways of incorporating other media into our current body and style of work.  Great stuff!   We were bombarded with stunning imagery and eye opening new ideas and approaches to not only working in polymer, but also urged to think of the broader scope of exercising our artist voice.  Even better great stuff!  Heady stuff.

 Once more, it was truly one of those life changing events.  I could ramble on further about the topics of the seminars I attended and what I got out of them (which is a LOT)  but I am still reeling from experiencing a different kind of  ”connection”.   Try to imagine for a moment…several hundred people decend upon the charming city of Baltimore  from all over the world.    All these people, all drawn together with a common love of this odd yet fascinating art media.  Strangers became fast friends almost instantly.  It was suddenly politically acceptible  to stare at one another’s chests and not be considered rude.  At observing this phenomenon, Jeff Dever, (one of the speakers, an incredible artist and a pretty funny guy) claimed he wanted a belt buckle made of polymer! (his wife was probably not quite as amused as the rest of us.)  Meeting a new individual entailed a look at the chest (ears, or belt buckle) then the face , then down to the name tag.    A hug or handshake would then ensue.  Making connections indeed! 

It is currently raven courtship season here in Alaska.  Ravens every where can be seen, wooing their partners with gifts of twigs, gently preening each other in those hard to reach places and performing daring aerial acrobatics.    I’ve always thought how appropriate it is ,that Valentine’s Day falls right smack dab in the middle of it.  I makes me want to go launch myself in some fancy feat of cooking or something for my own sweetie.  Having a good partner in life is such a blessing no matter what species you belong to. 

With that in mind, I thought  I might liven up my own raven creations by giving them a new playmate to bedevil.  In the real world, it is been observed that ravens and wolves often form interesting working relationships. (thank you Bernd Hienrich)  Just to be different, I opted to pair my fellow with a cantankerous old bear.  At first, the bear seemed less than impressed with his new friend’s antics.  But in time, it seems that the raven’s impish nature became contageous and the bear now seems to actually enjoy his company. 

 It was quite odd how it happened over the course of scupting several pieces.  I had not planned this to happen, it just did.  I guess it goes to show that the right partner or friend can bring out the best in all of us.  Make sure to let your partner and/or best friend know they are appreciated.  (I’m getting mine a really good twig!)

Today was certainly an out of the ordinary kind of day.  I spent the day with a friend and collegue trying to coax a redtailed hawk named Red out of a very tall spruce tree.  It’s not really something that either of us really wanted to be doing.  Cindy, my friend and the Director of Avian Care with the Bird Treatment and Learning Center, has the usual small mountian of tasks and duties awaiting her, back at the clinic.  I myself should be chained to my work table getting back into a regular work schedule.   Cindy, has other birds to exam and treat and a board meeting to prepare for, I have a small show in a few rapidly approaching weeks.  Still, it is part of Cindy’s job to get Red, an escaped hawk back into her safe care.

So what the heck am I doing here?  Well, nothing was happening for me at the work table anyway, so why not give a helping hand (or at least lend moral support) where it may do some good.  In the studio, I find myself just sitting there. I pick up clay, put it back down.  I push it and poke it..even actually made a few things… but nothing really is engaging me.  Nothing feels very satisfying.  My muse, like Red, decided to make a break for it. 

I never really thought about having a “muse”… (a rather capricious spirit that bestows creative inspiration to artists)    It seems like an archaic, even fanciful concept, but I don’t know what else to really call it.  Ideas or inspiratons can hit you out of the blue and can just as suddenly desert you.  It is a very fleeting and fickle thing.  I’ve been feeling very annoyed and frustrated.  2009 was a bustling year for me, I enjoyed a long holiday break and now, it is time to get busy…..and  I need to get busy NOW!

 It’s just past sunrise, looking up at the big hawk, we are both delighted to have found him.  He had been leading volunteers on a hide and seek chase for 3 days.   Being an 11yr old, retired , falconry training bird, Red is wise in the ways of toying with his human keepers.  Cindy swings and tosses a dead mouse  up in the air to get Red’s attention.  She has it.  The hungry hawk jumps out of the spruce tree and swoops over her head for a closer look.  As he circles back around, it seems like every raven in the area descends on the small neighborhood cul de sac.   They mob the big predator and drive him back into the safety of the spruce.  A waiting game begins.  While the ravens circle and scold, the hawk and humans wait for them to grow bored and go elsewhere.  The temperature is in the single digits.  While we retreat to a warm van, Red puffs up a bit more and hunkers down.  Eventually, the ravens depart and Cindy continues with the flying mouse routine.  Red makes several impressive dives and passes.  He never lands on her gloved arm.  He just hits the mouse in passing, managing to just get an occassional chunk.

“It’s important”, she says, ” to be patient.  If you startle him by trying to grab him, he will never come down. We have to wait for him to settle on the glove and then calmly get hold of his jesses…then we can get him home.”  I knew how it was supposed to work, I’ve had enough bird training under my belt to understand.  Still, it was fascinating to watch Cindy and Red.  Cindy would show him the mouse, teasing and enticing.  At times, the hawk seemed to thumb his beak at us mere earth bound mammals .   At other times however,  he dove.  He would come close….closer, but not  landing.   It was like watching a strange exotic dance.

It struck me then.  Was I trying to grab my “muse”?  I have schedules to keep and product to produce, but perhaps I need to try a different approach.   Maybe I need to simply be patient,  stop try to force things. and move with a more relaxed pace.  Like Red, the “muse” will come only when it is good and ready. 

We didn’t manage to recapture Red today, but we are resaonably sure he will remain where he is overnight. He isn’t likely to go anywhere.   Tomorrow for both Red and myself, the dance will continue.  This evening, as I ready myself for bed, I feel reassured that all three of us, Cindy , Red and myself will eventually find what we’re after, it just may take a bit longer than we would like