In His Hands

Spiritual Hands Fountain Commission for Dr. David W. Adcock
by Karen Sasine, Artist
Moultrie, GA

On November 14, 2007, a regular day, little did I know that my life would change forever. That morning, I received a call from Judy Adcock, Dr. David Adcock’s wife. She had been talking to Alan Stone, a local plumber and friend, about a fountain that her husband had always wanted. Alan knew of my background as an artist, and suggested she give me a call. We talked that morning for a few minutes, and I told her that I just happened to have an appointment that afternoon with Dr. Adcock, and I would gladly discuss it with him.

During my appointment with David, before I could tell him of my conversation with his wife, he asked me if he could talk to me about this vision he had of a fountain. I chuckled and asked him if he knew that his wife had called me that morning to ask me that very same question? He in fact didn’t know that I had already discussed it with Judy earlier that day. I’m sure he felt some comfort in knowing that she was on board with his idea, since he knew it was a big dream of his. We went into his office, and he proceeded to tell me what he had in his mind. David, being a very spiritual man, wanted a fountain of spiritual hands. He knew somewhat what it would look like in his mind, but had to describe it to me in words. It was up to me as an artist to see his vision and create it. He continued to talk about what he saw and felt, all the while, I continued to write down every detail. He asked me if I could create this, and my response was yes. I thanked him for sharing his idea with me and told him I would write up a proposal in a few days. I went home to think about the meeting I just had, and tried to feel what he was talking about so I could draw it. At this point in my career, I had been creating mosaics for 5 years, been to Italy to study traditional Byzantine mosaics, and had a few awards behind me. I knew that this project would be big, but I didn’t realize at that point how it would change my life forever.

Over the next few weeks, I drew up some initial proposals. I had done some big projects before, but never this grand, and not sculptural, and hands at that -- the hardest part of the body to depict and express feeling through sculpture. I was raised with the idea that nothing was out of my reach, and if you work hard enough and set goals for yourself, you can do anything. As Mark Spitz, a friend of my late uncle once said, "It was the mystery, the magic, the wonder and the innocence of never having done it before. Those were the seeds of creativity that developed into my personal story."

As the weeks went on, I studied anatomy, took pictures and started looking at everybody’s hands. What he wanted would be that of a strong man, but tender as well. Spiritual. We talked about the sculpture “David” by Michaelangelo, and how beautiful the hands were.

By March, I had confirmed scale drawings which was just in time for SAMA, The Society of American Mosaic Artists, annual conference. As a professional member, I had just received my application to attend, and knew that the courses I needed to take were scheduled.

While at SAMA, I took an intensive workshop called "A Lighter Base for 3-D Mosaics: Polystyrene Forms & Polymer Fortified Concrete". The instructor, Sherri Warner Hunter, from Bell Buckle, TN, is an award-winning author on this method. She is also the past President and board member of The Community Build Association, and was in charge of the community mosaic wall at Turtle Grove Park in Albany, GA. She has since received the highest honor at SAMA, The Best In Show, Architectural Division, 2009.

After SAMA, I started working at The Colquitt County Arts Center as an artist in residence. In exchange for complete documentation of the process, as well as teaching kids and adults the process along the way, I was able to use a corner of the big studio. As the months passed, the hands started to take shape -- a complex process that creates a lasting piece of art.

On the morning of June 29, 2009, I went to the arts center with my apprentice to uncover the finished concrete. When we lifted the plastic off of the hands, we both noticed red splattered paint. We were puzzled, since there was no fresh paint on the floor, and it had been covered for most of the time. I decided it was time to move the hands to my studio. I was no longer artist in residence, and they needed to be protected during the finely-detailed mosaic work. The rest of the day was spent planning the move. Approximately 600 lbs, almost 7’ tall and 5’ wide, moving the hands would be no small task. There was much to be done to prepare both my studio for such a large piece as well as planning the actual transport of the piece. That evening, while I was at a friend's house, she received a call that David Adcock had been struck by a truck while jogging. He was alive, but in critical condition -- taken by life flight to The University of Louisville, the birthplace of my Grandfather, Joseph Borowitz.

Since that evening, my life has not been the same. I saw a clarity in my head that I had never seen before. A new meaning of what life is really all about. Daily I am reminded that life is a journey not to be missed. I believe that there are no accidents -- only mountains to climb, paths to walk and dreams to fly.

On July 20th at noon, a few off-duty Colquitt County Sheriffs, friends and myself moved the hands from the Colquitt County Arts Center to my studio, where they now safely rest to be worked on while David recovers. We both have a mountain to climb right now. Not unachievable, not easy, but I know in my heart that the strength from this man, his family, and his spiritual belief will allow him to reach the summit. David is "in His hands" now.

I look forward to the day that he and I can sit, and discuss our journey together. Until then, I continue to be incredibly inspired by his spirit, strength and infinite wisdom.