The Story Behind "Mirrors of Fortune"

I was moving my library chair in front of the window this morning, preparing to do some meditating.  As I moved the chair it bumped into a cabinet with enough force to jostle a small 8x10 mirror that was leaning up next to it. I watched helplessly as the frame slowly slid down to the ground and --- smack.  I now had a compound fractured - reflection. 

My first thought of course was of dread, and that I now had instigated a barrage of 7 years bad luck.  At the very least - I would have a bad day.  DAM!!!!!!!!

On second thought, however, I quickly picked up the two pieces and put them on my workbench.  Being somewhat organized at present moment I spontaneously located my glasscutter and sliced the two pieces into four.  Then, it occurred to me that instead of falling into seven years of of bad luck I decided to create 28 years of good luck, good fortune and prosperity.  Why not???

I was now obsessed.  How do I share my fortune with others?  Of course, I could sell the pieces on Ebay, and thousands would see them.   I may make a fortune to boot, like the chap who became a millionaire selling his Grilled Cheese Sandwich.    Hmmm…….. I wonder, would there  a liability issue selling little pieces of glass?  Would someone try and eat them?  Are there fools out there that eat glass I wonder? Oh God!! Would I have John Edwards on my tail - even though I voted for him?

"No, there must be a better way," I say.    I have to deal with this glass - with class.   Then I remember that I  am after all a frame maker.   So - I zip on down to the wood shop.   OOOOpps - Oh, well....this part of my life has not gone through the reorganization.  It takes some time, but  I clear away the piles of "stuff" and get to work.  I luckily found remnants of old frame stock and fashioned four frames for my little mirrors.  It wasn't easy,  thick wood is hard to manage when making small frames.  The miters are tough. But they get done, and look fine, all things considered.

I make my way back upstairs and get ready to take pictures of the mirrors for auction.  Man are they Boring.  Who cares about a simple little mirror with a wooden frame.  I've had  3 of them in an Art gallery, for three years and they are still there.   I wonder,  "What can I do to embellish my lucky little mirrors?"    I got it - I will position the mirrors around the room simulating views they may have seen had they remained Broken pieces of mirror.  I will then create paintings of them, with the view (and 7 yrs good luck) in the mirror.  

So I take the little frames, move them around my studio and create little paintings from the reflections.   After doing the painting of each mirror with its associated room reflection, I put them all back on the floor where they had started hours before.  I then create one big painting of the whole enchilada.   And there you have it - you are now part of 28 years of potential good luck and good fortune.  Look again and enjoy. 

Now of course, if you choose to accept my eccentricity here- there is a catch.  You must have to be receptive to good fortune, and good luck in your life.  You need be able to let go and create the luck for yourself, when necessary.  These mirrors, and paintings.....all they can really do is remind you that if some nut like me can get so much hope out of a little stupid broken mirror - well you can at least have a good frigging day.  After all - A broken mirror can be seen as seven years bad luck to one schmo– and at least 14 years good luck by another.  It is your choice.  I chose to fashion 28 years good luck out of mine. 

As for the mirrors themselves - they are going on Ebay.  You might be able to get one or all, but get there quick,  they may just go faster than a Grilled Cheese Sandwich from you local deli.  Starting price - $28.28 of course.

For more details and close-ups go to :  www.themediastation.com

PS - There is no spy ware or even cookies for that matter, so don't worry.