Potential
The potential is always there. Sometimes it’s content, sometimes it’s restless, but it’s always within us, waiting for us…
My studio is full of natural found objects I’ve gathered. Assorted boxes with all kinds of leaves are stacked up precariously. Sticks sticking out of bags teeter and tangle next to each other. Collections of seedpods in all manner of uniqueness fill trays. Some are resting. Some are content.
Others are not. They have a different sort of vibe, as if to say don’t put me away, or let’s play now. Their potential is ready. And so am I then.
This happened recently when I went to visit a new friend’s farm, an hour and a half drive south. She and her husband have over 100 acres of re-wilded land, reclaimed through organic permaculture practices and sustainable living and love.
The walking trails meander through cedar trees and pine trees, an overgrown labyrinth, passing bamboo groves and a mother oak tree.
Walking these lovely trails I was sensitive to what I would collect, if anything. I always seem to forget to bring a bag when I’m collecting and this was no exception. But then I think that by doing so removes the expectation or assumptions that I will collect, and that makes for a better exchange between me and nature.
It starts with noticing – what I see and also what’s trying to catch my attention intuitively with its wildness or beauty.
Hello there. You are amazing. I say.
Theres a slight shift. I feel.
My intuition guides.
I’m glad to meet you. It’s a honor. I say.
I get closer, and closer, to pick it up and hold it in my hands.
Thank you for showing yourself to me. I recognize you, too. I say.
And sometimes that’s it.
I release it from my hands, and we bow to each other.
And sometimes it’s not.
It wants something. I want something, too. I feel.
Can I come with you. It says.
Would you like to come with me? I say.
I always remember to ask.
And sometimes I ask and it decides no.
No. I am happy here. I have my life here. It says.
Yes, of course, I understand. I say.
I release it from my hands, and we bow to each other.
From my friend’s land, I brought home with me a handful of very lively natural found objects – pine cones, cedar needles, and bamboo sheaths. Their vibe said don’t put me away.
So we started to play. They loved being photographed. Then being transformed with a warm black and white silvertone filter. And finally, collaged to show their best features.
All this seemed to activate the potential of other natural found objects collected from elsewhere and at other times. Hazelnuts and wild pine cones on their branches woke up. Their vibe was we want to play, too.
You got it. I say.
Is there more? It seems so. Will the cedar needles be used in healing chimes next? The pine cones in wands? The bamboo sheaths painted with designs? The potential is even more activated.
Many of the natural found objects collected over the years are tucked away in my studio. They feel dormant. I glimpse at them occasionally. Don’t forget about us. They say. We’ll wait. I hear.
It’s in those moments that I feel the potential is always there. It’s always waiting for us, within us, to be activated. How much longer can we wait?
“Potential” was originally published as an exclusive post to my Patreon supporters in November 2021. Now it's public and available to you, too!
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