Sinuous Shelf
Richard Judd

In these turbulent times when the traditional rules no longer apply, perhaps the most important tools we need to survive are common sense and creativity. Common sense and good judgment help us as we are faced with situations that we have never faced before. (I was born after the Great Depression, therefore have no foundation of knowledge for how I should respond when the financial markets are falling apart around me.)

Creative thinking is the ability to see a connection between elements that are not usually associated. Creativity usually starts by asking the right question, or asking a question in the right way.

Artists are generally blessed with an abundance of both creativity and common sense, and we often see these qualities revealed in the objects they produce. A good example is Richard Judd’s “Sinuous Shelf.” This artist, one of my all-time favorite furniture makers, begins a journey to create a simple, functional shelf. Common sense. Somewhere along the way, he shapes a piece of wood into a graceful line that supports the glass shelf in a new and different way and delights the eye.

These days, we all need common sense and creativity to navigate the currents of our daily lives. We should care for these qualities as we would favorite pets – feed them well and exercise them daily. And perhaps, pay attention to the work of artists for the lessons they provide.