Paxsi

The Perfect Skipping Rock, (wall hanging) 2021

Czech seed beads, recycled fabric, and chain

15.5 x 10 inches

The Perfect Skipping Rock, (zine) 2021

Digital Print

2.75 x 4.25 inches

We used to skip rocks together. We would crouch down by the edge of the water, and we would pick and pick and pick and pick. You taught me that the perfect skipping rock is smooth, thin, flat, and fits neatly in the palm of your hand. After finding one, I’d watch you stand, stick out your tongue (you always do this when you’re focusing), draw back your arm, and send that perfect rock dancing across the water. It always seemed like magic to me. Year after year, you tried to teach me how to skip rocks, but I never got the hang of it. I’ve never been good at being bad, so instead I made it my mission to focus on rock picking. When it was time to go, I would carefully hand you my pile of rocks to keep safe in your zipper-pant pockets until we got home.