In terms of my series "ancient memories", I couldn't help but think of the importance of charting the night sky. This piece represents a hanging chart to track the moon phases. It must have been so important to observe the skies for direction, location, omens, rituals, stories and proof of the living heavens. With a dark sky can you just imagine the power and movement from above?!! Again I created this piece thinking of the art in everyday life, beads and stitching all to make ordinary objects feel sacred.
Serendipity: Whenever I begin a new series books start falling off the shelves! Really, I'm drawn to this one or that for example: I'm rereading "Picnic,Lightning" by Billy Collins "Masada" by Yadin and enjoying a Biblical Archeology magazine which my husband found at the post office bin and brought home to me. It has been recommended to me to read "The Places that Scare You" by Pema Chodron and "Sacred Contracts" by Caroline Myss. I received an email announcing our congregation is having a read-a-thon with the book "Walking the Bible" by Bruce Feiler (I think he had this series on PBS) All this and books on silk screening, embroidery, etc....! I couldn't ask for more support.
The black jets and crystals, plus the shape of the place make me think of a seer, all decked out in her magic finery to trace the patterns and portents in the night skies. I love the idea you present of this being a chart to track the phases of the moon.
ReplyDeleteI keep a few Pema Chodron books by my bed and dip into them when I wake in the middle of the night sometimes. Sacred Contracts has recently been drawn out of my cupboard again, and sits waiting patiently for me to get serious about delving.
louciao, I liked putting this one together and especially adding the plain old hook, to keep it real. I've been told Sacred Contracts requires a big commitment of time.
DeleteI'm loving the formality of this piece,,it's become very classy and elegant.
ReplyDeleteSomehow it brings to mind prayer shawls,,,sophisticated ones, of course.
I've had trouble commenting on blogs,,,but have been enjoying your fabric pieces. So very creative!
Re books: so many books,so little time. ☺
Babs, I'm glad you see the sacred connections...thank you.
DeleteSome books are to be thumbed through...like books with instructions...hard to focus! I miss reading your posts!
Love those jets all lined up. Reminds me somehow of how so much of our history was lived before electricity helped us through long nights.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I rarely am in a place that I can view the sky without city lights but when I have it has been phenomenal...everything beautiful and moving!
DeleteI get a very "ancient warrior" vib from this piece. Love it.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, Thank you, I was going for ancient!
Deletethis work is so exciting - I'm enjoying this exploration and finding it very inspiring xox
ReplyDeleteJeane, Thanks so much...beginning this project has felt good...a right direction for me!
Deletethe beading and printing is special as is the shape of the piece which almost looks like a hat with a veil. the moon stampings remind me of a moon chart my homeopathist gave me back in the days when I menstruated to keep track of the moon cycles. the dark colors draw me in. i read sacred contracts a long time ago and also have read much of Pema Chodron who seems to ground my flighty self. wonderful series. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuki, Great comment...thank you. Now that you mention it, I see the hat and veil!
DeleteI too had the immediate sense of a sacred ancient head piece and veil - a mysterious moon adornment. Looking forward to seeing it soon!
ReplyDeleteAnd, what wonderful books, resources and possibilities for support and inspiration!
Joyfulwild, Thank you...and thank you for adding to this stack of books!
Delete"all to make ordinary objects feel sacred"....
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly done that Mary Ann and reading the thoughts behind the piece transfers your enthusiasm to your readers. I can't help thinking of the three wise men charting their course to Bethlehem.
Robyn, We live with so much plastic and things, it is nice to feel a world of fabrics and thread.
Deletei am in agreement about fabrics and threads, they make me feel so very grounded and connected... splendid piece and I really enjoyed Myss book...
ReplyDeleteThank you Caterina, I am beginning Myss book this week. The commitment to fabrics for the fall and winter seems grounded for sure.
DeleteAlways a pleasure to track you elegant work..besides beauty it possesses many themes...
ReplyDeleteLyn, Thanks for the stop by...my pleasure is reading your blog posts!!
DeleteThis piece does speak to me... I love the idea of an ancient calendar of moon phases. there's something mathematical about it as well as celestial- sacred geometry, you know? I can see it hanging on the wall of an ancient temple. Beautiful, evocative work.
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