What inspires you?

The subject of inspiration came up the other day when someone asked me "what inspires you"? It's a challenging question to answer; my answer often depends on who asked the question. Sometimes my answer is short and simple- nature, for example- but the reality is that it is at once, both more complex and more simple than that.

For me, I can be inspired by anything and everything, it is really more a question of receptivity. Yes, I think dragonflies are exquisite and yes, I have insect-inspired pieces in my jewelry collections. But true creativity, for me, is using any random thought as a starting point, and quietly following the course of that thought to an eventual or satisfactory end, one that can be physically represented using your material or medium of choice. I think that is what art is: an interpretation of something that has crossed through an artists's mind and out their hands. And the fascinating thing about art is that when art passes through an artist like that, they invariably leave their mark on it. The lifetime of experiences that the artist has lived or endured influences the subject in subtle ways to reflect that artist's life experience. These perceptions alter the body of work , often in very imperceptible ways - sometimes only the artist knows they are there, and sometimes it takes a very astute observer to see something that the artist didn't even realize had presented itself in the work.

Here is an example of abstract inspiration: the other day a friend of mine told me a great story about a family get-together. It had all of the elements of a good story: drama, danger, hope, love and faith. It only took 5 minutes to tell the story, but I thought about it all afternoon. In her family, she is an auntie to a little boy and girl, and I could never imagine a more fiercely devoted auntie. She works very hard day and night but is always -always-available to those kids, no matter how her workday has been. They are her family, and as such, they are with her in her thoughts all day. In my mind, I see them as a kind of beacon to lead her home, a kind of light at the end of her "workday" tunnel. And I see the unending bond of family in her life; as the undercurrent of her day, the connectedness like reassuring markers scattered along an uncertain path.

So, inspired by that, I created this ring. It is thick and solid, but not burdensome, just comforting. The band has a textured finish, representing the nicks, scrapes and challenges that we endure in the outside world. It has highly polished brass on it to symbolize her and the kids she adores-bright and gleaming, to represent the joy they bring each other. But inside the band is smooth and serene; the word family is indelibly forged, like a hidden map, secretly carried. And though the outside world may not be aware of its presence, it's a private reminder of what matters in this world, a reminder to make time, and go home to your family.

Ahhh, the Olympic games!

There is so much excitement around the Olympic games this year-more, it seems than usual. I started wondering about the origins of the event as well as where it is headed-given that it is increasingly becoming a platform for political expression. Of course, the games began in ancient Greece: participants were required to be young men from various Greek cities who had trained for a minimum of 10 months preceeding the games. (Women, it can be noted, were only permitted to participate in equestrian events). There were a number of skill-testing games, among them footraces, chariot races, wrestling and boxing. I was particularly interested in boxing. Initially soft leather covered their fingers but eventually hard leather weighted with metal was sometimes used. That got me thinking about metal on hands and, being a metalsmith, I wanted to capture the simplicity and harsh brutality of this event. So I created this ring: I think it captures the kind of raw determination you would need to spar with an opponent wearing metal-tipped leather gloves!

Truce was called during the games to allow the safe passage of the athletes and visitors-wars and legal disputes were put on hold and generally this was observed. There is a story however, that claims that the Spartans were forbidden from attending the games and fined 200,000 drachmas for assaulting the city of Lepreum during the period of the truce, claiming that the truce had not yet taken hold.

Crazy Spartans. Always lookin' for a fight.

The ancient Greeks exhibited a great understanding of human nature when they realized the potential for political grandstanding and took steps to prevent this during the games. But nowadays there is a growing tendency to use this global event to express political viewpoints, in spite of the original intent.

What about you? Do you think the games should symbolize peace, goodwill and sportsmanship throughout the world? Or do you think that it is an ideal opportunity to capture the world's attention and make a stand for what you believe in? Our very own Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper boycotted the Olympic games this year to make a statement.

As for me, I'm grateful that I live in a place where I have the freedom to choose.