Here I am!

12"x14, painted cloth, hand cut stamp, copper beaded letter, copper sheet, digital photo copy, embroidery and machine stitching, beaded fringe.

The letter Hay featured has the sound of breathing out...an effortless sound. This letter begins many holy and special words. My favorite is the call 'Heneini' which means 'Here I am". A letting go, a complete availability to the one who calls.

The copper sheets for the wings was once a heart shape in an art book I made several years ago. It was great to re-purpose the heart into wings.The small straight stitches in the bottom section has two small x's...my way of marking my place in 'Here I am'. I placed a close up view...I seem to go from perfect stitching to loose machine stitching/drawing...trying for the ancient scribe...the found fragment. I have one more letter to go and I will have completed seven Hebrew letters in this scribe series...it has been a great experience and a huge lesson in trusting my process.

Happy Spring! Drought or no drought, I'll enjoy this beautiful dry spring and savor the flowers still  able to bloom. I'll use grey water and enjoy some potted color plants too!

Wilderness Lamp

7"x15", muslin, cotton, suede, satin ribbon, trim, newsprint, embroidery, machine stitching, copper beads.

I began this piece with stitching together leftover stamped fragments on this rose/pink cloth. First the stars, moon and sun and then machine stitching. Started to look like a center part of a lantern (I like lamp shapes) so I added this suede cloth for the top and mottled brown for the base. I bought the suede way back 25 years ago so this became a perfect choice to finally use it. After adding beads and ribbon it felt complete to me. I see this lamp as a metaphor for lighting my way into new work. Below is an excerpt from my journal that speaks of this internal lamp:         Could this be my needed lantern? Not a direction but a companion for travels unknown to me. I'm facing new places, lists, templates and fabrics. Maybe now spirits can be lifted and I might move forward. The fool is met and guided. The lonely heart is held once again and hope returns.    I'm challenging myself to 9 or 10 larger pieces with a strong ancient storyline...so I'm pleased about beginning!