This research project entitled '500 steps: Centre and Balance', began as a ritualistic process of taking 500 steps to the beach and creatively stacking indigenous rocks in a purposefully mindful and meditative manner. The focus of my practice is to remain connected to nature. Being connected to the local seascape of County Louth has comprised a great deal of my lived experiences since childhood. Using my connection to the seascape directs and inspires my research project. The rituals of stacking and making rocks became active meditations. As the research evolved, cast glass rocks were used as a means to capture a light source within the stacked sculptures. Throughout the process, photography was an integral process used in this research as a means of documenting, evaluating and sharing these research activities and subsequent outcomes.
