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I ran across the work of Ron Pippin the other day. How could I have missed this man's work? It's beautiful, it's inspiring, it's powerful. It's as if he  went into the attic of the world and pulled out our myths and spirits and  stories, distilled them into evocative pieces that  we understand without knowing really how we do. It reminds me of Joseph Cornell, another artist whose work I love.

Take a look at his website and enjoy. http://www.ronpippin.com/index.html

What never ceases to amaze me is  the artistry of antique pocket watches. Not only for the sheer technical brilliance, and  the level of craftsmanship, but the watchmaker's eye for beauty. I think you see that in many artifacts from an earlier age- there is a sense that things must not only be functional but they must be beautiful. I find this especially in tools and mechanical things but nothing really compares to antique pocket watches. bear in mind, horology is an ancient art and what watchmakers achieved without the aid of  electricity and modern tools is close to miraculous. If you've even taken apart an old pocket watch and see the precision of the workmanship, you know what I mean.

 The above 2 watch movements are fusee movements. they run via a tiny flexible chain. The most common movements run by a spring.  Few of them match the artistry of the fusee. The bottom fusee dates from the later 18th century. It's diameter is @ 2 inches and yet look at the engraving and the pierced metal work. Even the tiny blue steel screws- this is a level of craftsmanship that is awe inspiring.