More is Not Better

Life has it’s ups and downs. As the Rolling Stones said, “ You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you might find… you get what you need. “

Humans have always created art. Despite their situations. Regardless of their obstacles. Artists find solutions. Artists can create beauty wherever they are. There are no boundaries.

Recently I purchased Mattheiu Cheminee’s new book: Inadan The Mastery of Tuareg Artisans. His book is a shining example of people creating incredible, exceptionally beautiful art, despite their situations and challenges.

Metalsmiths are known for being tool junkies. Well, to be honest, most artists love their tools. However, human hands, eyes, imagination, heart, soul and spirit are our most precious tools of all.

Tuareg artists are rich in these natural-born precious “tools.” However, they have very few actual hand tools to create their spectacularly awesome artistry. In fact most artists are working on dirt floors, grateful to have a stake, hammer and pliers.

When I enter my studio, I often reflect on how fortunate I am, how grateful I am. The dozens and dozens of tools, supplies and materials that I have to assist me in my creative expression are right there at my fingertips. But the wonderful catch is, I know that I really only need a stake, a hammer, and pliers to create beautiful objects of adornment.

Have you ever been blown away by the thought of how things were made ages and ages ago? How on earth did they do that? They didn’t have advanced tools or technology that some of us take for granted today.

One thing is clear. They, like the Tuareg people of today, had hands, eyes, imagination, heart, soul and spirit. And they worked hard and took risks. They found solutions.

More is not better.