Over the next three months I am working on an installation for the Survival of the Interesting, at Gallery Context. My portion of the show was inspired by a team of people that are dedicated to my hometown newspaper.
As I was preparing to move my sculptures to the venue my hometown paper was also making a move to a new home. This got me thinking about my life and about the times I have made sudden or planned changes. There are many reasons to make a move and not all the reasons are always obvious. Not all the moves or changes I made over the years were necessary, if I had only been less spontaneous…
I try hard not to jump to conclusions without having all the facts, and I try to encourage others not to assume things. The one thing I have learned (more than once) is things are seldom how they seem.
My recent project which I jokingly call Meet the Press, has reminded me of a bird that had built an amazing nest on the side of our house a couple years ago. Each spring the mother bird would take clippings of our hanging fuchsia plants and carefully place them so that they were hanging down the sides of her nest. Each day as I would take out the trash I would admire the nest. Seeing the flowers hanging from the nest and listening to her morning song put a smile on my face and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. I was delighted that the bird had picked the side of our home for a place to live.
A year ago we had to have some trees removed on the side of our house. During the removal of the trees the mother bird fled and never returned. She was not in real danger but the noise from the chain saws and crew were mostly likely enough to give her reason to think she needed to leave. 
How do you know when to abandon something?
Today’s thought for the Survival of the Interesting… How does one know when to abandon something?
When the need no longer seems to exist.
It is sometimes tough. If the feeling of leaving something is stronger, more exciting, or challenging than the feelings of having it close by…usually mean it is time to flee the nest. We may still think often of the old nest, or wonder what if, but just because you abandon something doesn’t mean you can’t return to it whether for the good or bad.
I wouldn’t be surprised if mother bird has flown over a time or two.
Thanks SkippyN8, You brought up a good point. I know I still google my old addresses just so I can check on the status of plants I had planted. Sometimes it can be harder looking backwards than looking ahead.
Thanks Skippyn8,
You have brought up some good points and given me more to think about. I am guilty of googling our old addresses just to check in on things. Some times looking back is much more painful than looking forward.Yet many of us prefer to look backward instead of embracing the unknown.
Love your work, the birds make me happy! Also, love that your recycle stuff into really cool useable art! Website is easy to navigate! Keep up the creative flow!
Thank you so much, I am delighted that the birds make you happy. It would be wonderful if you could attend one of my art shows to see the birds in person! I just might have to name one Annie girl!
Hoping to be up for the one in April!
Awesome!