“Objects of Desire and Mirth: Egg, caterpillar, chrysalis…” is my take on the made-up visuals I created of my beloved hobby of providing habitat and watching caterpillars transform in front of my eyes.

Some background:

One day out of nowhere on February 14, 2017, I remembered that there was a small amount of clay in my studio. As soon as I opened the bag and touched the clay a tiny figurine emerged. I felt calm and focused, something I had not been for quite a while after having recently lost my sister.

I was totally taken with the tiny anthropomorphic two sided figures that started populating my worktable. I decided I would make a thousand, and Objects of Desire and Mirth was born. I love the idea of non-identical multiples and creating a tiny, offbeat crowd of characters and creatures you have never seen.

Though I am the maker of these objects, I often gaze at them as if I didn’t make them, and that I just randomly came upon them. I can’t believe they exist. To be totally honest, I’m completely in love with them. They bring me great satisfaction. They have become a conduit between me and others to tell stories of healing and loss, happiness, mirth and joy.

On more than one occasion, making art has saved my sanity.

In my everyday life, I run my art studio / gallery moving freely between jewelry, figurative painting, drawing and miniature ceramic sculpture, called Objects of Desire and Mirth, all with a strong visual crossover.

You can see more of my work at my studio at the Sawtooth Building in Berkeley every Thursday and the first Saturday of the month and during special events. My next event is National Craft Open Studios Weekend, July 18/19, noon-5pm. Sponsored by The American Craft Council.

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Susan Brooks

Berkeley CA