My friend thinks my driftwood sculpture from the beach last month is 'just trash', but I see a finished piece.

I found this amazing, twisted piece of driftwood at Cannon Beach in Oregon last month, cleaned it up, and mounted it on a slate base, but my friend called it 'just trash' and said I should have left it, so I'm curious where you all draw the line between a found object and litter.

2 comments

2 Comments

skylerc861mo ago

My buddy's wife collects smooth beach glass. She has jars of the stuff, all colors. One time she glued a few perfect blue pieces onto a nice piece of wood, made a little hanging thing. His brother came over, picked it up, and said it looked like something from a kindergarten class. Really hurt her feelings. The line is whether you see the work in it. Your friend just sees a stick. You cleaned it and gave it a base, that's the work. That makes it yours, not litter.

the_miles1mo ago

That line about seeing the work in it really got me. I used to be like that brother, honestly. I'd see a painted rock or a glued together craft and just not get it. Then my neighbor showed me the driftwood shelf he spent weeks sanding and fitting together. He pointed out the joints, how he'd followed the wood's shape. I finally saw the hours, not just the object. Changed how I look at everything now.