Ephemeral Art

I had a sculpture instructor in University named Byron Johnston who truly believed in the importance of ephemeral sculpture, and I think, more particularly, outdoor ephemeral sculpture.

ephemera [ɪˈfɛmərə]

n pl -eras, -erae [-əˌriː]

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a mayfly, esp one of the genus Ephemera

2. something transitory or short-lived

3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Antiques) (functioning as plural) a class of collectable items not originally intended to last for more than a short time, such as tickets, posters, postcards, or labels

4. a plural of ephemeron

(Thank you, www.freedictionary.com)

In this case, this little mermaid has been sculpted out of mud from the shore of Paul Lake, in Kamloops, BC. My friend Maile and I dug some of the soft clay up, and enjoyed the oozy sliminess of it. The mermaid probably didn't last more than two days, but she had her day in the sun, and I had a great time making her!

I struggled at University, and for a couple of years after, with the idea that my art had to say something meaningful, something profound. But I have come to realize that my sense of humour and my fascination with fantasy and the unreal will continue to channel through me. So I don't always have anything important to say, but I usually have fun saying whatever I am saying! On that note, check out the fantastic Avrell Fox, who has also come to accept that it's OK just to make life beautiful, without forcing herself to be profound: http://www.avrellfox.com/