Soulful Essence (2024) Sculpture by Arlene Knowlton

As an artist, I find myself meandering through the delightful and often chaotic crossroads of nature and nostalgia, much like a squirrel navigating a particularly ambitious obstacle course made of tree branches and acorns. My mission? To capture those fleeting, ephemeral moments that flit by like butterflies on a sugar high—beautiful, colorful, and just a little unpredictable. Enter the enchanting realm of my latest sculpture, a delightful concoction that begins its journey with a vintage perfume bottle, that charming relic of days gone by, which whispers secrets of the past while embodying the essence of transformation—like a caterpillar who finally decided to stop binge-watching reality TV and become a butterfly!

This sculpture is not just a mere assemblage of materials; oh no, my friends! It is a grand tapestry woven from the threads of history and the present, a nostalgic ode to the days when the most pressing question one faced was whether to wear polka dots or stripes. Picture this: a vintage perfume bottle, gracefully perched at the center, evoking the intoxicating scent of forgotten romances, late-night adventures, and a hint of that one awkward incident involving a cat, a hairdryer, and an unfortunate misunderstanding. It symbolizes nostalgia with a capital "N"—the kind of nostalgia that wraps around you like an old, well-loved sweater, making you sigh wistfully for simpler times when your biggest dilemma was whether to have cereal or toast for breakfast.

The perfume bottle itself is a character, a diva of sorts, with its elegant curves and intricate patterns that seem to dance in the light like a prima ballerina at her final curtain call. You can almost hear it saying, “Darling, I once graced the vanity of a glamorous flapper in the Roaring Twenties, and I still have the stories to prove it!” Its glass is tinted with just the right amount of mystery, reflecting shades of emerald and amber as if it’s been kissed by a thousand sunsets. The bottle is adorned with a delicate crystal stopper, which, if you squint hard enough, might just resemble a tiny crown—because every good perfume deserves a royal touch, right?

Surrounding this charming bottle are captivating elements crafted from soy-based resin, a material that not only cradles memories but also cradles the environment—because who says art can’t be eco-friendly? (That’s right, Mother Nature, I’m looking at you!) Nestled within this shimmering embrace is a stunning labradorite cabochon, a gemstone renowned for its magical play of colors—think of it as the gemstone equivalent of a mood ring that actually works and doesn’t make you question your life choices. This shimmering stone is like that friend who shows up to the party and instantly makes everything better. With its flashes of blue, green, and gold, it seems to wink at you, as if to say, “Hey there! that time you tried to impress someone with an elaborate dance move and ended up faceplanting? Let’s not dwell on that. Look at me! I’m fabulous!”

And let’s not forget the vibrant turquoise cabochon sitting beside it, a bold splash of tranquility like a soothing sea breeze on a hot summer day—a perfect antidote to the chaos of modern life (and the occasional existential crisis). This little gem is like a beach vacation in stone form, inviting you to kick off your shoes and dip your toes into the ocean of calmness (preferably without stepping on a rogue piece of seaweed that feels suspiciously like a jellyfish).

The sculpture is adorned with whimsical resin mushrooms, each one embedded with crushed chrysocolla and garnets, creating a delightful sense of enchantment as if they’ve just popped out of a storybook—perhaps one authored by a particularly imaginative gnome with a knack for crafting. These little fungi are not just any ordinary mushrooms; they are the life of the party! Picture them giggling and dancing, perhaps sharing secret jokes that only the most imaginative among us can hear, like, “Why did the mushroom go to the party? Because he was a fungi!” (Yes, I went there. You can thank me later.) Each mushroom is a tiny, quirky character in its own right, with personalities as vibrant as their colors—one might be the shy wallflower, while another is the overzealous dance enthusiast who insists on showing off its best moves to everyone in the vicinity.

Scattered throughout this magical landscape are tiny knick-knacks that glimmer like stars in a night sky, each one a tiny treasure reflecting cherished memories. They are the little whispers of our past, reminding us of birthdays celebrated, lost socks found, and the time you accidentally wore mismatched shoes to a job interview—because who doesn’t love a good story about foot fashion faux pas? Some of these trinkets are like tiny time capsules, each one holding the weight of a memory like a feather-weight champion holding the title belt: “This one? Oh, this is from the summer of ’92 when I tried to bake cookies for the first time and almost set the kitchen on fire!” Together, they create a sparkling narrative that invites viewers on a journey through their own connections to beauty, time, and the natural world, all while providing a hearty dose of laughter.

So, come along and ponder your own stories and experiences as you explore this whimsical sculpture. Allow yourself to be swept away in the delightful dance of nostalgia, transformation, and the sheer joy of creation. After all, life is but a series of moments, each one a unique brushstroke on the canvas of existence. This piece captures them in a way that is not only artistic but also utterly enchanting—like a trip down memory lane, complete with a side of laughter, a sprinkle of magic, and perhaps even a tiny mushroom or two offering unsolicited life advice. Trust me; you’ll want to take this journey! And who knows? You might even find yourself inspired to create your own whimsical masterpiece—just to keep the hairdryer away from the cat!