ScenicOverlook's Profile

Bio

Patricia R. Nelson Lapidary Artist

Nothing relieves the stress of meeting impossible assembler, compiler, or script engine software deadlines for companies like Boeing, Microsoft, Symantec and Sun Microsystems, better than rock hounding. There is something cathartic in digging a three-foot deep pit for a geode or walking in 105-degree desert heat picking up prairie agates that are too hot to handle. It is therapeutic to swing a sledgehammer missing the chisel and hitting your hand trying to break off a chunk of petrified lily pad. The endorphins released by aching muscles from hauling two 5-galon buckets of rainbow obsidian back down a 55-degree slope to the truck, dissolves the jaw clenching memories of 60-hour work weeks, bug reports and midnight builds.

And so thanks to my wonderful father-in-law who saved my sanity by taking me rock-hounding. For over 30 years I filled my pockets till my pants began to slip down. Filled numerous rock bags till the canvas shredded. Loaded buckets till there was no more room in the truck. Every storage compartment in the camper was filled. Rocks overwhelmed pole building, barn, and spare bedroom. In the yard my rock garden grew 50 gallon blue, white and black barrels filled with rocks instead of flowers and wire mesh wrapped piles of rock were my tree stumps.

Finally three years ago I acquired the diamond saws, the grinders, the flat laps, the buffer wheels, the three-headed sphere machine, the oil, the grit, the polishing compound, and all the other bits and pieces, small and large, required to work rock. I soon discovered that while rock-hounding gave me peace, working with rock gave me joy. I found art comes in many levels when your medium is rock. I cherished presenting the natural untouched beauty of a crystal or geode. There is a thrill when you uncover a unique artistic treasure hidden amongst the many. There is a great sense of accomplishment shaping rock to my own vision and I love sharing the beauty and wonder of stone with others.

Female, Born on November 13

Favorite Materials

Rock, wire, gemstones