It’s Art!
I made this carving from one piece of wood. When I do these things the mind (such as it is) has to focus and plan. It’s easy to cut a piece away that you might need if you don’t pay attention. The good part of carving is that the brain is busy and the problems of the world get lost in the sawdust.
I put the thing on the tv stand. It wasn’t quite finished but I like to stop and look at how things are going. Something was wrong but I couldn’t figure it out..I just left it there awhile..
Myra came into the room and took a look at the project. “What is it?” she said.
“It’s art. It’s just a thing I enjoyed carving.”
“I see a book and a finger..No wait. It’s a hand and they are on top of a ball in a box. It’s another ball in the box thing but why the book and the hand? Is it a softball? Pickleball? Is it a book about the rules? What are you trying to say?”
“It’s just art” said Bill, the would be artist.
“I know you. There’s a hidden meaning here somewhere. Is it a book about carving? Is it a book about all those Harley stories? Is it another collection of Dragoo-Jones stories?”
“It’s just a wooden book. Nothing is on the pages. It’s just art.”
“Oh”, said the art critic... “I get it. It’s like that wood spoon with the shark entwined in it. I wondered what the relationship was but you said it was just art so I guess it was. I like it.”
And then Bill asked, “Do you like the box and ball that has no purpose and the book about nothing and the hand that’s pointing to nothing for no reason?”
“Yes..Of course. I like them all. They’re on the wall and in the display case, right?”
I remember when my Mom hung my scribbles on the refrigerator. She said she liked them too. (Myra really must like them otherwise they would all be in the shed, outside)
Oh by the way..After looking at the latest “Art” for a while I found out what was wrong. The hand had six fingers.....It’s easier to take one finger off than it is to grow a new finger...
I have another confession....Although I carved it from one solid piece, the hand was so poorly done that I had to amputate it. I made a better one and fastened it to the rest of the project with Gorilla Glue and a dowel.
I always remember when Ralphie’s father received a “Major Award.” He was speechless. “Overcome by art”. That happens now and then...but rarely here.
