Thought Pattern

So my thought behind the One Drop Ripples design actually occurred because of an event in my past.

Organ donation has played a role in my life since 2000 when my brother James died of a brain aneurysm. After much discussion (and with a room full of people there can be a lot), we decided to go ahead and donate his organs. Since then we have heard back that all except one are doing well and have met 2 of the recipients Ana & Dani. Both are truly inspirational in their recovery. Ana went from poor health because of cystic fibrosis, in and out of the hospital with her twin to literally climbing mountains. Dani has now been cured of debilitating diabetes and has wonderful plans for her future.

It amazes me how much just knowing they are doing so well makes the loss of my brother feel like it has come full circle.


I wanted to somehow show one simple occurrence has many repeating repercussions. That one small step on our part can effect many others without our even knowing it. I hope people can take from it something of their own, not connected to my inspiration but their own. Other moments need not be as traumatic as this situation. It was just my inspiration for it. A tribute in a way to my Brother James...

The crack that occurred after it was Laser cut may mar the surface but strangely it kind of adds to the story behind its creation. Physical proof of the depth of feeling behind it.

Eventually I will cut another one, but for now I choose to call its imperfection a quirk of fate. I will be sand blasting it after I take a sand blasting seminar at the craft center. There is one in January, maybe it will solve the imperfection. I want to emphasize the Organic design as well. I am more than happy with the Fern/Branches design. I love the way it turned out. Instead of straight lines it is boxes etched in at 30%. More than the 40% of the Organic one that is straight lines. The tech sort of explained it but don't ask me to explain  how 30% is deeper than 40%. I think the every other box line adds something to the character of the piece. After coming up with the fern/branches I reworked the plan to have etching around outside of the fern. I think the emphasis worked out great.