Unexpected Beauty

I am one of those weird people who gives really strange and specific compliments like, "I really love the bump in your nose," or "I think the shape of your neck is beautiful." Sometimes I fear that I freak people out with these types of compliments (so I try to hold myself back from creeping out random strangers), but I really do enjoy finding unanticipated loveliness. The search for unexpected beauty is not limited to giving people weird compliments, but seems to be something of an eternal hunt for me. Perhaps it is a configuration of sticks on the ground, a way that a person has of talking, anything really. Do you do that?

Of course I find normal things beautiful as well, but it seems that I am always on the hunt for things that are beautiful on their own terms. Perhaps it all began during the tender junior high years when I couldn't really look at myself, o0r anyone else, as one completed piece without feeling insecure about everything (ahh 13 was wonderful); so I had to find small bits to appreciate like my hands or my elbows. Maybe it has something to do with interest in wabi sabi. Who knows? I am not feeling particularly introspective at the moment so we shall just let the mysterious origins remain intact today.

Here are some moments of unexpected beauty that I have happened to photograph lately...










Where have you found unexpected beauty lately?

Wabi Sabi: Perfectly Imperfect

Before I get rolling here, let me assure you that wabi sabi actually means something. I promise you that I did not invent the term. Wabi sabi is a pretty broad Japanese perspective which values asymmetry, imperfection and reflects a hand made quality. One incarnation of wabi sabi can be found in the Japanese tea ceremony where tea bowls are intentionally made with imperfections which are considered quite beautiful. Certainly I have simplified the ideals of wabi sabi, but for all intents and purposes my definition will get you through the rest of this blog.



A few years back when we were still in Missoula (ah, how I miss Missoula) I purchased this cup from an artist friend. He was showing me some of his refined and very beautiful pottery when I spotted this piece. He said he was experimenting with a different firing technique and this cup came out pretty messy. I fell in love with the imperfections, the weird textures and general lopsidedness of the cup.
Inside you can see that there is this blue patch and it is almost like glass, smooth and polished next to the chunky choppy texture of the rest of the cup. I love to drink out of this cup because it is such an experience. I drink my tea and explore the cup.

Years later when I learned about wabi sabi I instantly thought of this cup. The imperfections are exactly what make this cup so special to me. I think in general I have a pretty wabi sabi approach to life.

Here are some of the perfect imperfections in my life:

• Bumblebee, my wonky footed basset hound
• The fact that I have one slightly crooked tooth that sometimes catches my lip when I smile.
• My appendectomy scar.
• Ophelia's uneven cat mustache.
• Paint stains on my clothes.