Bitter to Sweet

11"x16", silver leaf, assorted beads, embroidery and machine stitching, tea stained fabric.
I began this piece in late October and is one of many planned following the ancient routes leaving Egypt to journey into the desert. It is allowing me to take in the inner and personal meaning of this journey of trust. Archaeologists have found water at an oasis known to be bitter which aligns with the ancient descriptions and the writings that describe the bitter water divinely turning to sweet...much like life sometimes.
I've left the ties loosely knotted and cut as if from a larger manuscript. I've also been inspired by the tattered remains of early work being highly decorated with metals and beads...I can only wonder.

Homage Vl

5"x8", sun prints, satin, cotton, silver and glass beads, silver leaf, embroidery and machine stitching. Much smaller piece this time, a homage to the pomegranate. Lots of history connected to this unusual fruit. Native to Iran. I was taken by the theory that thousands of years of translations might have gotten it wrong and the pomegranate was the true forbidden fruit instead of the apple? I so like the color and shape of this healthy and special fruit and most of all the ruby red seeds! These shapes all began as sun prints, reversing the image on the small ones. Up next might be larger and maybe represent whole ancient dreamy gardens...!
I've been framing the pieces that I love and hanging them in the studio...surrounding myself in what speaks to me. Not every piece does that and sometimes it takes awhile for me to know which ones have my heart...enjoying this cool summer.

Sparks of Heaven

13"x15", cotton cloth, hand stitching, silver beads, stencil created with molding paste, silk photo transfer (Dead Sea Scroll), silver leaf, blue trim.
The letter Tsadi (four examples above) is a letter of commands beginning in words that are about doing good deeds and repairing the world with healing efforts. Turning back even and revisiting past mistakes. Beautiful concepts of mending divine sparks.

I tried applique' for the first time with the letters, ironing a thin fabric to the painted cloth and then stitching. I needed to hand stitch this whole piece because I created a raised stencil (molding paste) and I was worried the needle would break if I tried to machine stitch.

Update: Well, Spring is almost here and we didn't get the rain we had so hoped for...I'm losing two large tree like shrubs and will miss not only the privacy but also sharing living space with the little neighborhood birds. I know others have too much snow and rain and here I am complaining...need to follow my mothers advice: Bloom where you are planted.

Evening prayers

This is the last piece using machine stitching collage, silver leaf, stones, wire and acrylic. I will always come back to the subject of the human and divine connection but not in this way with these materials. I'll come back later to this process when it feels I might have more to develop, otherwise to continue would feel like manufacturing rather than fresh in my hands and heart. There are 9 pieces in the set, each measuring 4"x4" and they can be hung in a variety of ways. The silver leaf is left shiny and two pieces have angel images. The printing is copy of code used in the Cosmic Call to nearby stars.
What's next? I've looked over my notes, poetry, folders of saved papers and I've signed up to be a client in a creative coaching program by Eric Maisel. The coach I've been assigned, lives in Missouri and so far we have sent email introductions. We will conduct our coaching client relationship via email for the next several weeks. The new coach will get the benefit of hands on experience coaching a working artist and I, working artist, hope to reap the rewards of support and direction for my next creative journey. I'm looking forward to this so much...!