We are not alone. We exist in a beautiful community of souls. This post is dedicated to Haven Kimmel and to her beautiful community of souls which have enriched my life since I stumbled (it was fate) upon them in August. [ www.havenkimmel.com , click blog].
The above work (entitled CATCH ME IF I FALL) is a perfect visualization of my experience in Havenland. [begun with this bizarre altar niche I found in a thrift store in Fort Walton Beach, FL, it costed me only $6.00, which is a perfect example of where I get my main inspirations (junking or dumpster diving). The doll face was cast from my original Krissy doll (the one that you pulled on the string and her red hair went shortor long). One of my more prominent motifs are the wide-spreading oak trees (as it dominated the 'house yard' of my grandfather's Veedersburg, IN farm) and the handmade wooden rope swing that I spent many hours dreaming on as I strove to walk the sky]. Although this work can be disturbing as you notice the barbed wire which entwines the rope, and you realize that to stay balanced you would have to grip that barbed wire (what is supposed to keep you safe might BITE you), to me it is all about the hands that reach up under the swing to . . .
catch me if I fall.
As a child, due to many mitigating circumstances, most out of my or my 'guardian's' control, I rarely felt safe or that I had a soft place to fall. Now that I am grown I am allowing myself to rely and trust in and on others . . . these are souls that have become guardians of my creativity and celebrants of my soul.
I hope you can see the resilience of this peace and celebrate with me, the beauty I have found not only in Haven's blogland, but in the world that seems to shine brighter with hope.
Barbed
Guardian,
2006.
(Porcelain Doll Head, Rusted Wires, Encaustic, Gold-leaf)
As the child's eyes reveal in Catch Me, we, as adults, are reflections of our childhood experiences. I want to celebrate those that have been able to nurture 'little sher', she will always be a part of me.
In Barbed Guardian, a friend of a friend heard about my search for rusted barbed wire/other objects and she shipped me objects from her farm in Sevierville, TN. That is love.
To the left is WINGED GUARDIAN. She is a perfect example of my friend's and family's support of my work. My sister, Lisa, collected the remnants of a cardinal on a nature walk and carefully saved the skull (with its carmine beak) and the wings . . . this forethought and support is what, I believe, imbues the pieces with the ethereal essence I constantly seek to capture.
Lastly in the guardian trio is DOMED Guardian, she is veiled and unknowable. She is the hidden spark of resilience I believe we can all find in our own souls if we protect it and treasure what is sacred and pure in our hearts. She IS BROKEN, yes - but she remains.
'find a sanctuary inside oneself, no matter how small' - Lemony Snickets, A Series of Unfortunate Events