One of the most meaningful objects to me is a very old and rusted padlock that my grandfather used to lock up his tool shed in his backyard. When I would visit him in the summers as a child, he would leave the key for me and head off to work. I would spend hours by myself experimenting with his tools trying to make things. I realize now that was the beginning of my lifelong journey as a maker.
What a terrific memory. Thank you for sharing it, William. I wish I had more of my grandfather's things. I only have his retirement plaque from his years with the Southern Pacific Railroad and a brass key that went to one of the switches.
My most meaningful objects must be a necklace from my grandmother and a lead holder and Chinese chess set from my dad. If I had to pick one it would be the lead holder since I also used it myself as a draftsman in my first job out of college. It’s kind of a miracle that it hasn’t been lost over the years!
Recently there’s been times when I’ve thought about surrounding myself with things from creative high points in my life to rekindle the magic. In the end, I always end up feeling depressed at what was lost or opportunities I’ve squandered. I think for me, the creative spark has to emerge organically from the soup I live in. Good food for thought though!
I definitely hear you on that, Mike. I've squandered my fair share of opportunities. The thing is, the objects that I have that represent those things to me also represent the possibility of choosing a different path in the future.
I think that’s a more positive perspective to take. After thinking about it a bit, there is one object I’ve kept around: a drawing of a lighthouse I did when I was about 10 or 11. It’s not that great in the end, but to me the image allows me to connect to a period where art offered me an escape from my life and filled me with hope for the future.
My father’s tools. That’s a collection, I’m sure they would be? I don’t have many, but they remind me of him and Sunday mornings, where he’d potter and just fix stuff, Dad style. Items that can be used, are. Sure they’ll suffer wear and tear, but I like the fact that these are things he used, personally. They are a connection. A super piece Jeffery. Could I have one of these every day please? On my desk, by say 2pm?
Right now, maybe my most meaningful object is a flannel shirt that I took from my father-in-law’s closet in July, the morning after he died with us bedside, holding his hands. I am not sure he ever actually wore this shirt, as it appeared to be in new condition. But in a way that is kind of perfect. I still feel the connection to him when I wear it, but I don’t have memories, perhaps too tender, of seeing him in it.
One of the most meaningful objects to me is a very old and rusted padlock that my grandfather used to lock up his tool shed in his backyard. When I would visit him in the summers as a child, he would leave the key for me and head off to work. I would spend hours by myself experimenting with his tools trying to make things. I realize now that was the beginning of my lifelong journey as a maker.
What a terrific memory. Thank you for sharing it, William. I wish I had more of my grandfather's things. I only have his retirement plaque from his years with the Southern Pacific Railroad and a brass key that went to one of the switches.
Great post. Love that keyboard. Have one.
But how does it connect with the synthesizer in the photo?
Ha! It doesn't, other than the cable runs underneath it to get to my Mac mini.
My most meaningful objects must be a necklace from my grandmother and a lead holder and Chinese chess set from my dad. If I had to pick one it would be the lead holder since I also used it myself as a draftsman in my first job out of college. It’s kind of a miracle that it hasn’t been lost over the years!
Wow. I love that you have an actual tool that you get to use in your own work. Thank you for sharing, Justus.
Recently there’s been times when I’ve thought about surrounding myself with things from creative high points in my life to rekindle the magic. In the end, I always end up feeling depressed at what was lost or opportunities I’ve squandered. I think for me, the creative spark has to emerge organically from the soup I live in. Good food for thought though!
I definitely hear you on that, Mike. I've squandered my fair share of opportunities. The thing is, the objects that I have that represent those things to me also represent the possibility of choosing a different path in the future.
I think that’s a more positive perspective to take. After thinking about it a bit, there is one object I’ve kept around: a drawing of a lighthouse I did when I was about 10 or 11. It’s not that great in the end, but to me the image allows me to connect to a period where art offered me an escape from my life and filled me with hope for the future.
My father’s tools. That’s a collection, I’m sure they would be? I don’t have many, but they remind me of him and Sunday mornings, where he’d potter and just fix stuff, Dad style. Items that can be used, are. Sure they’ll suffer wear and tear, but I like the fact that these are things he used, personally. They are a connection. A super piece Jeffery. Could I have one of these every day please? On my desk, by say 2pm?
Right now, maybe my most meaningful object is a flannel shirt that I took from my father-in-law’s closet in July, the morning after he died with us bedside, holding his hands. I am not sure he ever actually wore this shirt, as it appeared to be in new condition. But in a way that is kind of perfect. I still feel the connection to him when I wear it, but I don’t have memories, perhaps too tender, of seeing him in it.