I had this nutty idea to turn a tambourine into a snail, using epoxy clay to sculpt her body. Slow Beatz metamorphosed in my hands and really, took charge of the creation process. She demanded that her eye stalks be mandolin pegs—I didn’t argue! She told me to work some violin strings in there too—sure, she’s the boss.

And then as I was painting her very swirly shell she started quietly humming a song to me—remember The Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane?” I ran to the computer, found the sheet music for the drumline (because, you know, percussion), and printed it out. I cut it all up and decoupaged it allllll around the spiral because clearly that’s her inner soundtrack. And also because it completely cracks me up. And maybe because it reminds me that life mostly happens in between the fast lane and the slow, everyday rhythm. So might as well enjoy the journey!