Finally finished! Brass repousse of a vegvisir (Viking compass) embraced with vine. The Brass is 6" wide, mounted on a piece of Poplar,

I guess I should have said more about this piece when I first submitted it a couple years ago but I didn't realize how many people would be interested so today 9-25-08 I'm adding this info about it.

The vegvisir (Viking Compass) has become an important symbol to me as it represents a much needed change of direction in my life. It was Bjork and her music that caused that change. I have a little Nordic blood so I've always liked Viking and Nordic lore and I have a Viking ship tattooed on my left arm. When I first saw Bjork (on TV) she really got my attention and then when I saw a Nordic symbol in the same place on her left arm, it seemed familiar to me and at the time It seemed like it was a sign that was telling me to pay attention! I did and it end up changing my life. To make a long story short, she may have actually saved my life by pulling me out of the depressed state I had been in for 6 years after being sick from a chemotherapy overdose in 1996. Art had always been a part of my life but my inspiration and creativity had died during that awful time of my life and nothing could seem to bring it back. 6 years after and I was still feeling the after effects of the chemo and fighting to survive the same thing that had killed my mom. This was happening at the same time that my dad was dying from cancer. It was impossible for me to be positive as I knew the end could be near for me too. I couldn't not escape the fear or get it out of my mind. I desperately needed to do my art because it would serve as therapy and I knew it could help distract me from my worries, help me stay positive and increase my chances to survive. Bjork made that happen! I realized just how different she was from the norm and that she was willing to take chances to do follow her instinct to do what she does. She breaks all the rules yet creates something so much even better than rules would ever allow. She made it clear to me that there really are no rules in art! Her music wasn't like the music I had always liked but when I saw her and heard her music, I was immediately effected, I felt like my soul was being restored. Her creative music went straight to my heart! I also felt so embarrassed that I had not been making anything for such a long time and she somehow was giving me the motivation and permission that I desperately needed. It was Bjork who made me start doing my art again and it helped me free my mind from the grips of darkness that I had been under for so long. She inspired me and influenced me and I believe she helped me stay alive by stirring these feelings inside me which was just what I needed! If not for her I may not be here today! I'm doing so much better now and I have survived! This symbol (the vegvisir) in this piece symbolizes Bjork and the direction she's helped me find through inspiration. The knotwork or vine embracing the vegvisir symbolizes me holding on and staying on coarse, thus the title "Nordic Guidance" Yes! Music can save lives!