“I also think that erosion, that our undoing leads to becoming, and that one of the things about living in an erosional landscape is that the land is reduced to essence. And I feel that in the positive sense, we too can be brought to our essence if we’re willing not to look away—to really look at these hard questions of where we find ourselves at this moment in time.”
—Terry Tempest Williams
I hope you’re well.
These are uncertain times, to say the least. We’re being forced to look at unpleasant truths about our investments as a society. We’re sitting still—something few of us have the patience for—and recognizing the discomfort of coming face to face with what scares us. We’re learning that each of our actions—seemingly small and well-meaning—have immediate and far-reaching consequences. We’re re-examining what community means, and how to truly be present and valuable to one another.
As an artist, I’m feeling two ways about our current situation. I’m nervous, yes. Investing in art is not top of mind for most right now. All of my markets through May have been cancelled, meaning a lot of time and money have already been lost. Who knows how long this will last—but it’s looking like we’ll be in this altered state for the long haul. I’m worried for my fellow small business owners, service industry workers, friends who work in healthcare and the many, many people serving on the frontlines of this pandemic. Not to mention those who have fallen ill or are forced to make unthinkable decisions on behalf of others. None of us will be the same on the other side of this.
But, that is also what gives me hope. I welcome the thought of being “brought to essence,” as Terry Tempest Williams suggests. I’ve found the most personal growth in times of humility. My hope is that by recognizing the depth of our dependence on one another and the ways in which we structure our network, we’ll learn how to better care for one another and respect the planet and our collective future. I’m so impressed by what I’ve already seen in my online communities, and it’s motivating me to dig deeper and live my convictions.
As we are all facing financial uncertainty, I’ve had a hard time advertising my work. There are a lot of basic needs that require attending to right now, and jewelry/ home décor does not feel high on that list.
But then, every day of self-quarantine, while I’m allowing myself to wear sweats (ok, pajamas) all day, the one thing I do put on each morning is a pair of my earrings, maybe even a necklace. It’s not always conscious. I just find myself reaching for them every day. It’s my way of feeling grounded in this chaos.
I started Lichenology because of the beautiful, potent lesson I found in these organisms—lichen’s long, slow life reminding me to be patient and to take things as they come. The intentional, connected growth of trees reminding me that wisdom comes with experience and attentiveness to our surroundings. And that every living thing survives in a web of belonging. Lichen’s symbiotic nature is a beautiful revelation into both the mischaracterization of independence and the magnificent things that can happen if we open ourselves to the common good.
These are age-old reminders that feel even more important in today’s context. As we’re finding community digitally and remembering the solace of the outdoors to sooth our nerves, I’m finding more ways to access and hold on to the wisdom of the natural world. The ritual of wearing my pieces every day helps me stay connected and conscious of these lessons—like a worry stone in times of high anxiety.
If these ideas resonate with you, too, I would love to provide you with one of my pieces to get you through. I’ve added a lot of my inventory to my online shop, with more to come as I adjust to this new, event-less world. I’m offering free shipping and 20% off for the foreseeable future. Use code ESSENCE and select the free shipping option at checkout.
Each listing is paired with some lovely nature writing, so at the very least, take a look and find some inspiration to get you through this strange time.
I’m also totally available for custom work. Please contact me for more information on creating a special piece.
Take care of yourself. Take care of each other.
Gratitude and elbow bumps,
Kelsi