Wednesday, February 13, 2008

February 08

I've been listening to an unabridged version of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' for the last several weeks while i work in the studio........his eloquent and philological writings are a comfort while hammering away...........
'The Dwarves of Yore made mighty spells

While hammers fell like ringing bells

In places deep, where dark things sleep

In hollow halls beneath the fells

For ancient king and Elvish Lord

There many a gleaming golden hoard

They shaped and wrought, and light they caught

To hide in gems on hilt of sword

On silver necklaces they strung

The flowering stars on crowns they hung

The Dragon Fire, entwisted wire

They meshed the light of moon, and sun' -----


As the dwarves sang, the hobbit felt the love of beautiful things, made by hands, and by cunning, and by magic moving through him, a fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves...........

I must be related to the dwarves, somehow. I am currently working away on a 'Diamond Waistcoat', influenced by the idea of lucre inappropriately appropriated by 'The Worm Smaug' in the aforementioned story. It won't be done by the shows in February, but it will be a stunning piece when complete. I just hope i can procure the funds to finish such a decadent work. I will have to get some of my diamonds from pawn (legacy diamonds), and see if i can get some more donations of broken /unwanted precious metals jewelry, or dental gold (repurposed materials). I think as a child, i always imagined being curled up, sleeping with the dragon on a golden couch of gold and silver spoils. On a more socially aware note, this story is an amazing treatise on complex adult issues, cleverly adapted for a child's understanding. The lessons to be gleaned from this very important literary work make it a timely learning story about greed, wealth, war, and politics. Treat yourself, and a child in your life to 'The Hobbit'. All Tolkien text above is the copyright Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins. Thank you for your mission to keep your family's gifts alive.