I often find myself wondering idly what I’d save if I had to rush out of my burning house. Of course I hope I never have to, and of course first would be my cats.
And now I rejoice in knowing exactly what the second thing would be.
Some months ago, I put my name on a waiting list with nomadic artist Rima Staines, for her to create one of her clocks especially for me. It felt really extravagant and slightly strange. I’ve never commissioned a piece of art for myself.
I love Rima’s work. It plunges you deep into a slightly unnerving world of folklore and fairy tales, dark forests in which you’re never quite sure what magical being might be peeping out from behind the next tree.
I wanted a clock to celebrate the adventure of my ageing. The attraction was something about a clock ticking away the months and years by my side. This was my “brief” to Rima:
What sort of clock would I like? I envisage a magical, wise, wild older woman who could lead me through my own middle age into cronehood. Long white hair. Bare feet. Rich autumnal colours shading into winter. Moon and stars. In a forest, perhaps? Or a cave mouth? My September birthday means my Celtic sacred plant is ivy, representing regeneration. I don’t want do be too prescriptive but that’s a flavour of what I would like.
Rima emailed last week to tell me the clock was finished, on its way, and to warn me not to look at her blog if I wanted the clock to be a surprise, because it was pictured there. With heroic self-discipline, I resisted clicking on the beckoning link to The Hermitage. After a few days the doorbell rang, and the postman stood there with a large flat package.
Upstairs I ran, and peeled off the first layer of packaging. Then the next. I was full of tension. What if I didn’t like what Rima had done for me? What if I was disappointed? Another layer. What if it was broken? Then a piece of red cord velvet revealing the final layer of packaging, about 10″ by 8″, bound by russet raffia. And then the clock.
It is so perfect, so beautiful, so intricate I got goosebumps, I had tears in my eyes. Here it is:
The wood is yew. You can see more photographs and hear the story of its making at Rima’s blog, here. If you want to commission one of her clocks, go to Once Upon a Clock (worth it just to be hypnotised by the ticking and the turning). Thank you Rima, I’ll treasure this forever.
Elsewhere:
Another artist whose work I love (and some of whose products I use) is Teesha Moore. I recently found her channel on YouTube, here, which has some great practical instructions on visual journalling, showcasing her unique style.
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em 11.09.09 at 4:59 pm
This clock is actually how I found your blog. I was curious about the woman who ordered it. I, too, am in middle-age, trying to navigate the path to cronehood, so your request rang true for me.
Tess 11.09.09 at 5:06 pm
Em I’m very pleased you found my blog and thanks for your comment. You might be interested in an invitation-only online community I’m part of, called Elderwomanspace. It’s for women roughly 50(ish) and up to discuss the paths you mention. If you’re interested, contact me (link at top of page) and I’ll send you an invite.
Ponchoflute 11.09.09 at 6:47 pm
Same as Em, I discovered your blog because of your clock. Beauty leads to beauty. I’m very much enjoying your writing.
Very pleased for you that you have the clock now. Its a stunning piece of work.
moonbindery 11.09.09 at 6:48 pm
What a beautiful clock! Rima does such lovely work. Hope your old crone leads you into many happy days ahead.
lucy 11.09.09 at 7:08 pm
oh tess, you have to simply be over the moon on this one! the clock is absolutely stunning! you have also inspired me to share my own clock story which itself contains a bit of ivy – who knew my september birthday shared ivy as the celtic sacred plant? and, of course, more serendipity
xoxoox
Sib 11.09.09 at 8:06 pm
Your clock is so beautiful – what a lovely way to celebrate getting older. It feels and looks so affirming and positive. As I am meandering on the path of middle age, I’m not ready to embrace cronehood, too caught up in feeling ambivalent – excitement, mixed with fear. But the image of your clock shall stay with me.
Kel 11.09.09 at 8:09 pm
Tess, this is a wondrous piece of original art
I also love the imagery Rima creates, a visit to her her blog is very otherworldly
What a great gift to give yourself – a welcome to the passage of time
Tenar 11.09.09 at 8:54 pm
Yew are s.o.o.o.o.o. lucky…
Tess 11.09.09 at 10:04 pm
@Ponchoflute: welcome and thank you for the comment and the compliment.
@moonbindery: thank you, and having just had a look at your site, you do some lovely work yourself.
@lucy: someone sent me a lovely ivy card which is how I knew. In fact, because your birthday is earlier, you are represented by Bramble – the intoxication of new ideas! I think that still counts as serendipity because it is so you. Check out this link: http://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/shop/the_wisdom_of_the_trees/page/1/
@sib: I’m glad you like the clock and I do understand the ambivalence. I’ll lend you a book next time we meet that might help.
@kel: otherworldly indeed, and I like the way you’ve put it, welcoming the passage of time.
@Tenar: I smiled to see your comment, and to read your pun. I’m lucky indeed.
Sue 11.09.09 at 11:46 pm
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH TESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS!!! It is fanbloddytastic!!! Beautiful! What a perfectly wonderful way to walk towards cronehood. I just love it. Really really really.
Really
Greenmonk 11.10.09 at 12:14 am
How fun! What a great clock!
Sunrise Sister 11.10.09 at 4:15 am
Congratulations with gifting yourself so beautifully!!! I immediately thought of Lucy’s “clock story” and I see above that she mentioned she would be sharing that with you:)
xoxox
cloudbusting 11.10.09 at 2:02 pm
That is a a beautiful clock, perfect!
Tess 11.10.09 at 3:13 pm
@Sue: so you like it, then!
@Greenmonk and cloudbusting, thanks for your comments and welcome to my blog.
@SS: yes, I’m looking forward to Lucy’s clock story.
Tenar 11.10.09 at 3:17 pm
Tess, woke up thinking about the clock this morning…one more comment. You’ve fearlessly transformed the demons of aging into the angels of inspiration. Not just lucky, but magical and fanciful and fun. May you live long, and prosper!
rebecca 11.10.09 at 5:59 pm
Tess, I had a very similar experience lately where someone was creating a piece of art for me. I was so nervous as I waited to open it. What if I hated it? My experience as I first laid eyes on it was so similar to yours. It felt like the artist had looked deep inside my soul and placed that part of me upon canvas. Unlike your goosebumps and tears in your eyes, I had great heaving sobs. (One of things that I have discovered in my journey is that I often cry in the presence of truth. It happens frequently in my practice of spiritual direction.) I felt so known, so loved by that piece. Thanks for sharing your experience. Love…
Rima 11.10.09 at 7:50 pm
I’m so delighted that you are delighted Tess, thank you for such a lovely commission!
With love and tick tocks x Rima
Barbara 11.11.09 at 2:32 am
I adore that clock as well. A delightful piece of art!
Your question about what would you save from a fire reminded me of the same question from that 60’s French film, A Man and a Woman (love it, love it, love it!). The woman, I believe, said a similar question was asked of the Swiss artist Giacometti — would he save a great painting or his cat from a fire. He said he would save his cat because it was alive. Your clock is easier to carry than a painting, so I can see saving it along with your cats.
If I could save one thing, aside from my Humphrey and Bogart, it would be a lithograph by Toko Shinoda.
Kate 11.11.09 at 5:21 am
Tess, this clock that marks your passage into your “crowning” years is amazing…simply beautiful. It draws me into another world.
What a wonderful gift to give yourself and I know it will bring you such joy as “time” goes by.
Tess 11.11.09 at 12:39 pm
@Tenar, perhaps my angels of inspiration have pointy Vulcan ears?
@Rebecca, it’s a great gift when we feel truly known.
@Rima, it’s obvious you have a lot of fans here!
@Barbara, I must put that film on my list, I never did get to see it.
@Kate, another world indeed. Perhaps you should get yourself a housewarming present from Rima…
Tenar 11.11.09 at 1:51 pm
Therese, I never doubt you get my point, and then some! (-:
Abbey of the Arts 11.15.09 at 6:46 pm
Tess, I am slow to comment here, but just wanted to add my own ooohs and aahhs about this glorious clock – what a marvelous tension between chronos and kairos time captured here. Simply beautiful, just like you.
Crayons 11.16.09 at 9:19 pm
Well I like your question a lot. I hadn’t thought of that in a long time. Your clock is, indeed, a lovely object with a spiritual background. Thanks for sharing this.
claire 11.19.09 at 9:21 am
I love the description of the clock you imagined and how the artist interpreted your visualization.
Cronehood… This is such a beautiful time to step into… And it will go on forever until we step into the next world/life.
What would I take in a fire? I will have to think about that. At the moment, I have a blank. People, animals, definitely. Things??? Great question.