As somebody with a monstrous number of tchotchkes littering every square inch of my mantel, display shelves and even some window sills, I started to feel uncomfortable with my contribution to this evil universe of all-consuming tchotchkes and the reality that my creations are destined to collect dust. On a rock hunting expedition with one of my kids, she suggested that I try making a rock-clock. Without realizing the reverence of the moment, I shrugged and said “Huh. Sure, I could try.”

This is the first clock I made (above). Needless to say, the clouds parted, angelic voices swelled and I got one of those mischievous grins that you get when you figure out a previously unknown part of yourself.

The rest is evolution.

The Players

My name is Darren. I’m a very dedicated father, computer network engineer, and a passionate multifaceted artist. My artistic journey has taken me through being a musician, a graphic designer, a woodworker and now this multimedia work with stone, metal and epoxy. I have always loved impressionist art and, if I’m being honest, staring at the clouds to find all of the faces, animals and fantastic creatures. I see so much in the world around us, and I love the idea of sharing my impressions and evoking new ones with and for all of you. 

I love how art can communicate nonverbally.  Music can so easily convey an emotion that would take hundreds of words to even attempt to describe.  Seeing a face can show us nuances that poetry strives to capture.  While there is a level of interpretation with all art, impressionism gives the viewer or listener the ability to more interactively participate in the experience, and I love bringing these kinds of opportunities to life.

With my children as my muses, I launched into an exploration of stone clocks and wall art. I began this journey for myself, looking for something to spend my creative energy on while stuck at home during the pandemic, but I quickly found that I had stumbled upon something unique and eye-opening.

The clock to the right has two “bookmatched” slices. Bookmatching is a technique used in woodworking and stonework where two or more pieces are cut from the same, in this case, stone and arranged to create a symmetrical, mirror-like pattern. Imagine a stone being cut in half and then opened like a book.

Yes. It’s a couple of rocks, but when I look at it, I see two sisters with either long hair or perhaps wearing shawls, back-to-back as they endure… taking comfort in each other’s companionship. I hate to risk imposing my interpretation on you.

I think of my relationship to each stone and each piece as staring at the clouds and asking “what do I see?”  

The clock to the left is a clock that I keep coming back to. I see so many different possibilities, and what I’m seeing seems to be a reflection of what I’m feeling in a given moment.

In other words, I see myself as just here to expose nature’s own inherent beauty.

I’m like the rhythm section in a band, creating the foundation upon which the real star of the show can shine through.

I create art that brings me happiness and inspiration. I genuinely hope you enjoy what I do and are inspired to engage your imagination.

~Darren