Last month I finished reading Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane.  Given its subtitle I thought it would be more geological, but Macfarlane explored the Earth’s underground mythologically, anthropologically, literarily, as well as scientifically.  I especially enjoyed his exploration of karst topography. He quoted caver and microbiologist Hazel Barton as saying, ‘When you’re in a cave, you’re the first person ever to see it. There are very few things that give you that sense of exploration anymore.’

You do not have to discover an unknown land to be the first person ever to see something new on this earth.  When I was working in rare-earth exploration we were core drilling in northeastern Wyoming. It was the first time I had sat a core rig, and when the driller slid the core into the core boxes, it was a moment of extreme excitement.  I remember saying to the driller, “We are the first people ever to see this rock!”  He just looked at me incredulously, shook his head, and dismissed me with a flick of his hand.  There was no sense of the awe that an explorationist feels.

As an underground mine geologist, going into a stope after a blast was equally thrilling.  I was the first person ever to see the rock face, to examine it in depth, and I knew I was the most fortunate of people.

Recently we cut open a geode for an 8^th grade neighbor and there was huge anticipation. The diamonds in the drop saw blade ground on and on, which certainly must have seemed as interminable torture to her.  Finally, finally, the rock split apart and she was the first person ever to see the inside. It was an electrifying moment and she was beaming!

In the studio I get a similar feeling when I saw a rock for the first time.  Each slice is a book-match to the next and I am the first person ever to see them. But that is not where the fun ends.  When I lay some mariposite from central California, next to some sodalite syenite from the coast of Brazil, I am the first person ever to see those slices in that combination.  It is not just seeing a new slices but combining these disparate elements that get me going. This is the type of exploration in which I revel.

Never stop exploring!!    (Despite how this may appear, this is not an ad for North Face – ha!)

I am going to have a private showing of artwork at a collector’s home in Tucson February 4^th – 7^th.  The opening reception will be Thursday evening the 4^th, and the following three days the work will be available for viewing and purchase.  Because of the planning required for a catered reception, I would love to know how many of you will be able to attend? If you plan to come to Tucson, just reply with a Y and I’ll put you on the list! More locational details will be forthcoming.

www.stonequiltdesign.com
720.340.2132

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