Life's Journeys Series
A series of related metal sculptures by Gilbert McCann: Metal Artist
We are born without knowledge but quickly begin the learning process. As a newborn we recognize our parents and those who are most frequently around us. We learn how to get what we want by crying. As we grow our skills increase and soon we are walking and speaking. Of course, then we begin our formal education through attending schools. But beyond the formal education, much of our learning is through experiences. Some times the path is smooth and an easy downhill journey; other times it is uphill, pitted and you must struggle to climb. I hope you will enjoy and be able to relate to my series "Life's Journeys."
BEGINNING OUR JOURNEY, is a depiction of what our life experiences might look like as we begin. All of the paths or roads are clean and new awaiting our travels. The stainless steel ball symbolizes the traveler embarking on the journey of life.
BEGINNING OUR JOURNEY
SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 14 inches
Width: 12.5 inches
Depth: 5 inches
MATERIALS
Steel, stainless steel spheres, powder coat
STATUS
Not available for purchase
JOY RIDE is my depiction of those days when our traveler’s journey is going great, that time in life when everything is right with their world. We experience joy when we achieve a goal, meet our soul mate, when our children are born, and when the ones we love are happy and healthy. Our traveler is lucky; these "roads of joy" are the blessings in life.
JOY RIDE
SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 14 inches
Width: 12.5 inches
Depth: 5 inches
MATERIALS
Steel, stainless steel spheres, powder coat
STATUS
Not available for purchase
GOING NOWHERE shows the traveler caught in a situation in which over time everything stays the same and is therefore boring, very monotonous. Many times in life you will find yourself in situations where you are bored or not challenged. If you say that you are going nowhere, or getting nowhere fast, you mean that you are not achieving anything or having any success. You are running in a circle, not advancing. As long as you continue to run that circle you will not be able to show any progress. You are going nowhere.
Albert Einstein is widely credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” In order for your life to change, you must change, to the degree that you change your actions and your thinking is to the degree that your life will change.
Our traveler needs to change by finding a different route to travel.
GOING NOWHERE
SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 14" tall
Width: 12" wide
Depth: 3.5" deep
MATERIALS
Steel, stainless steel spheres, powder coat
STATUS
Not available for purchase
RELAUNCH shows my traveler stopped on the road of life. In life, we take wrong turns, hit dead ends, lose time, meander in wrong directions and twist and turn at unexpected times. With this sculpture, my traveler on the road of life comes unexpectedly upon a dead end.
Maybe they embarked on a career and realized there was no fulfillment along this road. Or maybe advancement was blocked by racism, chauvinism, lack of knowledge. Sometimes a traveler will be in a relationship that is not healthy. They may feel they are lacking an exit.
What is important is understanding that this does not need to stop you. It is always possible to turn around, find another road, and then continue on your journey. It’s not the road’s end, but the beginning of your next direction.
RELAUNCH
SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 9.5" tall
Width: 14" wide
Depth: 4" deep
MATERIALS
Steel, stainless steel spheres, powder coat
STATUS
Not available for purchase
STAY THE COURSE is my depiction of how a person will, many times, embark on a goal. Sometimes the objective will be easy to accomplish. Other times it will not be easy and the road will be bumpy. If the goal is worthwhile, it is important not to get discouraged.
This will be an opportunity to learn new things and also can become an opportunity to teach. A parent’s children will learn as they watch the struggle. They will learn if they persevere and “stay the course” all things can be possible.
STAY THE COURSE
SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 9.5" tall
Width: 14" wide
Depth: 4" deep
MATERIALS
Steel, stainless steel spheres, powder coat
STATUS
Not available for purchase
MONOTONY
During your life you will travel many different roads. Some roads will be exciting; some roads will be challenging; some roads will be monotonous. Monotonous roads lack variety and interest. They are tedious, repetitious, and routine. You must not become resigned to monotony.
Aron Ralston once said, “The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
Everyone can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure. Our traveler needs to change by finding a different road to travel.
SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 9.5" tall
Width: 14" wide
Depth: 4" deep
MATERIALS
Steel, stainless steel spheres, powder coat
STATUS
Not available for purchase
LIFE’S JOURNEYS often looks more like a maze than a straight line. Here I have shared a few turns in the road with you. I hope you have enjoyed traveling with me on some of my journeys.
Click on any image below to see a larger overlay view of this sculpture.
