Are You Teachable?

Are You Teachable?

There are many tales and much local lore that speak to us of the magic of the white raven. Spotted in Qualicum Beach recently, my friend Iris managed to capture their beauty on camera. Them being here - are they telling us that magic is returning to our land? Some believe that black soot fell many years ago, changing the raven’s feathers from pure white to black. Could this be a sign we are embracing and blending from the inside out again? Are we returning to our true nature?

There are no should or should nots in an artist’s world. I love what this philosophy has to teach us - to just go ahead with what is within us. Just let it out. Learning to leave judgement and condemnation aside, making the most of everything that seems less, and creating value from something deemed valueless. Society as a whole needs to take a lesson from the artist. Let’s think of two words: imagination and attitude. 

When we tell someone not to do something we strip them completely of their greatest gift – an opportunity to do as they please and experience the results of that opportunity. Out of fear or criticism, they miss the chance to create their unique selves, enjoying all the experiences that teach them what they are capable of. We need to have the freedom to create our own experience; everyone needs to have the freedom to create their own experience, to learn who they are right NOW. Of course, it works even better when we speak and see from a standpoint that is positive. I know from my experience that when I feel judged and belittled, any inspiration within me fades. It fades like sunset into the blackest sky without a twinkle of starlight. I do well when I can blend my imagination, skill and attitude together to create what I do and who I am; I do best when I feel encouraged to do this.

How about this masterpiece? Can you identify the myriad of different woods blended together to finish this spectacular outdoor patio settee? The top is bound together with mighty Western Red Cedar. The skirt underneath is cedar with inlaid Pear. Pear is one of the hardest woods and is very sensual and very hard. It requires very sharp tools to work with. The stunning corners are decorated with finely cut pieces of Yellow Cedar Burl, one of the most elegant burls to work with. Can you just see the brilliant markings within those pieces? Nature at its finest, craftsmanship at its finest!
  
The table is adorned by four live edge stools. And the workmanship is the product of two symbiotic minds: one with experience (an old-timer with a deeply embedded love and passion for wood) and one up-and-comer. Encouragement is one aspect of learning, indeed, but this, perhaps, is the secret to success: the mentoring process. True success is never about the degree of knowledge, skill, school/educational achievements, money, passion, or the tools. Rather, it begins with attitude. A positive attitude opens the heart and enables one to reach the deepest part of their imagination. Attitude is what makes one teachable. A positive attitude. Being teachable. Being humble. Being able to see through another’s eyes and being able to feel passion through compassion. 

How many times do we want to build a team and when we do so, we have to step back and wonder what happened? The success is only realized when both parties show basic kindergarten principles: play fair, share, tell the truth and be respectful. As soon as an attitude arises – I can sense it right away! I know better or I am better than that person; hire me because you don’t know what you are doing and other such attitudes. When this is present, sadly, any room for improvement vanishes into thin air.  Have you experienced this? I say Well, what if? What if I began to love what is in my heart? I would then have to stop all the hurtful things I think, and say, and do and replace them with kind thoughts and words. Going deeper inside myself I would have to love everything within myself including all wounds and suffering within me. In loving all inside, I could become a better human being, more alive and paying more attention to my needs, taking care of them and quit expecting others to take care of me. I would just be open to doing what is in front of me with the best intentions.  What if loving everything within me, warts and all, puts me in a better place to work in harmony with you? 

Back to this table. What a learning opportunity this became. It definitely was a work in progress and morphed into a luxurious outdoor dining feature. There are no mistakes in craftsmanship when it comes from the heart. It is what it is - unique and perfect.

This subtle, Irish Chain quilt (queen-size) contains over 1500 1-½ inch tiny squares. Can you see the rain boots delicately placed? She is backed with thick, fluffy, plush off-white backing. Surely this will be a welcome warm cuddly addition to someone’s queen-size bed.  

Iris managed to capture this stunning fellow, a pure white raven.  Do you think that this has spiritual significance? Are you embracing your true self?

Remember, you won’t see two different pieces glued together in this blog. This is the straight blending of creativity with skill. God gives us the sandbox but he doesn’t give us the order of the play. We don’t get directions on how to play, but we get the playground.  There are no directions here. The greater the demand the more our teacher appears, ready to teach us. But it doesn’t work when they just want, want, want and closed to suggestions all around them. What is your focus? What is your attitude? Are you teachable? 

Next week’s featured artist will be Sheena McCorquodale. Here is a little glimpse of her work. We know you will want to know more!

Remember the ancient Western Red Cedar slab from last week, the one from the forest fire of 1550? Well, here are her legs. They’ll soon be added to support her.

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I Am Enough

I am enough. A simple phrase with so much meaning. But what does it mean for a person to believe that they are enough? I say that it means that we no longer have to struggle with the need to be more likeable, loveable, tolerable, more talented, more acceptable, more worthy … and the list goes on. And how do artists deal with these types of issues? Could it be that this is found at the core of each of them, of each human being with a passion for a good life and what is in it?  We are enough. I am enough. These creations are enough.  Everything is enough in its own unique and beautiful state. 

Can you picture this magnificent board made into a stunning dining room table? Let me tell you about this fine piece of Western Red Cedar. It was bought from a local wood enthusiast who was extremely passionate about where it came from. As he relayed, following a forest fire back in 1550, this wood was part of a remaining stump. The fire ravaged most of the tree but this part was left behind. During that time, Spruce was the favoured tree for forestry.  The stump of the Red Cedar tree was left in place given its strength, acting as a springboard of sorts whilst the fallen trees came down against it. The fire protected the edges of the stump with the edges seared by the fire. Most species and trees are not designed to survive fires, but, as they are no different than people really, trees can be resilient, surviving and thriving during challenging times. 

In the case of this stump, the fired edges actually protected the wood at the core.  If you look closely, you will see these edges. What an amazing display of resilience they reveal! Think about that - people and animals can instinctively run from danger, but a tree is rooted to the ground and yet can still adapt and become resilient to all threats. 

Fires along the coast of Vancouver Island are documented in a research paper entitled, Holcene Fire History Of A Coastal Temperate Rain Forest Based On Soil Charcoal Radiocarbon Dates (2003). This was researched by the Environmental Management departments of Simon Fraser University and the University of Washington and written by Daniel G. Gavin, Linda B Brubaker, and Kenneth P Lertzman. There are maps within it depicting forest fires along the Vancouver Island coastline and 1550 is a confirmed date of a forest fire in this area.  

Stay tuned as this ancient beauty is transformed into a magnificent dining room table. Transformations. There is always time and vision to rebuild into a new purpose, no different than rebuilding ourselves from then to now.  

This is another beauty salvaged from an old mill on Vancouver Island.  This stunning piece was passed over because it was it did not appear to be of any use.  But with a touch of tender loving care and a bit of sweat, along with planers, sanders, chisels, this beauty appeared. What a statement this would make on a front entrance wall!  How about a few decorative hooks? I see a unique coat rack on someone’s wall - do you?

Soft and cozy.  Need I say more?

Here is another shot from our gifted photographer, Iris! Look at these West Coast trees. For those that live here, look out your window, I challenge you. The trees are always standing in pairs … for support. When adversity comes, the trees rely on one another.  And people are no different - we seek support from another person when adversity comes our way. However, while the trees do lean on one another, they will always stand independent of one another.  Our mighty trees on Vancouver Island are standing tall within the forest – they don’t do it alone.  Nature and human nature.  What a paradox.

All items presented in this blog are now available in our Etsy store.

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I am enough say all of us this week. What an opportunity we have been given to learn from the trees! What a privilege we have to learn to let go of the need for approval from others and to be our best self each day - even thru adversity - surrounding us with love and passion (especially by those that truly love us), and above all, being grateful.  

And really what are you fearful of? What scares you so much that you have to hurt me to help yourself? I am enough!

The next article will feature a unique outdoor table with live edge benches. We are sure you will be thrilled to see and read all about it. In the meantime, please check our Instagram page for upcoming products. 

 

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