The grief side of Pebbles, Stones & Rocks...

 As mentioned, for the show which opens on Saturday, I have explored the connections between grief and stones.

I wrote three small poems about grief and what it can feel like as you travel along with such a confronting companion. They are called Grief is a Stone I, II & II, with hopefully some sense of movement  over time.

My sense of it is, that they may act as small reminders when your are in the midst of the worst of it, that you are not alone and what you feel is real. Perhaps they can then offer a pathway forward as well - with a sense that whilst things are so awful now, the hurt may ease and there may be a time when you feel differently. And perhaps too they can remind us when we have travelled further, of how far we have come.

I created three small book-ets,  with the poem on the centre page, each in an edition of 15. Hand set and hand printed with traditional letterpress and metal type. Covers are blind-embossed with pebble forms.

I also printed and hand-illustrated an edition of 10 cards with each poem on the reverse.

And stitched beautiful pouches to hold them. 

I like the way the pouches offer the poem a secret place. They allow it to be tucked away and drawn out when it feels right, rather thanking on permanent display. The book-ets offer a similar approach - you have to actively engage with them to find the words.

I also think the pouches suggest that the feelings and emotions are precious, and that they have a special place to dwell.

I also took the title of the poem and did some calligraphy with it to get cut in steel (and corten steel) and here is how a couple of them are looking in sandstone and in stones...

And last but not least, some small solace stones to hold in your hand, to carry in your pocket, to feel the weight and warmth of memory.

What I like about these as well is that they can be turned over. That the words can be private and  hidden from view. They can sit by the computer or on the coffee table, the bedside locker...and you can know the feelings are there, but you don't have to publicise it.

These are smaller than previous solace stone, and will really fit in pocket so well.