Friday, July 18, 2014

Charting Wisdom

16"x22", digital images on silk, collage, painted cotton, 1" black bias tape, machine stitching and hand stitching.
I see this piece as more of a chart ... a display of how the "Ten Crowns" might appear. The crowns speak of a spiritual conscious, beyond power, royalty or even beauty. The early writings refer to the ten crowns as a part of the higher worlds and the wisdom declares that this power pours it's light down as a cascading waterfall which inspired me to sew the closely spaced vertical aqua stitches.
I've so enjoyed this series of art making from the combined study of ancient writings and the beauty of archaeological discoveries.
The crown on the lower left was my first attempt at sewing (drawing) without the feed dog operational ... need more practice! Onto the tenth and last gate of this series. A couple of years ago I would never have thought I would be so deep into cloth and stitching?!

6 comments:

  1. Isn't it funny where art takes us? We just never know what we will be doing or how it will all end up... this is a wonderful piece, I am fascinated by crowns and have often thought of exploring it as a motif...

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    1. Caterina, Thank you. These three silver crown digital images hold small brass bells as is the ancient custom.
      We like a lot of the same images ... crowns, wings etc. Enjoy your move!

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  2. Really intriguing piece, Mary Ann. I wonder if the ten crowns have anything to do with the ten sephiroth of the cabbalah? I love all the stitching here! Though you haven't been working with cloth for that long a time, you seem to develop expertise quickly, as you do each time you try a new medium - I marvel at that!

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    1. Yes, lots of resources for this ten part series ... BAR subscription (biblical archaeology review), phrases and wisdom from several books and one being "Honey from the Rock"( a magical look at ancient mysteries) as well as my ongoing journey into personal memories and hopefully lessons learned or re-examined. I did something similar when I did the series on the planets ... using myth and science. Piles of books in the studio! Thank you!

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  3. Artistic path..... leads us to unexpected places, feeling, and adventures. You blessed to follow, with or without the feed dog! Lovely work, Mary Ann.

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    1. Carole, What kind words and believe me I've taken them in ... sometimes just the right set of words can touch and strengthen ... thank you!

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