While traveling in Ethiopia a friend sent me 36 shells, a large seed the size of a walnut, and an ancient metal latch all found on an island covered with sacred sites in the middle of a large lake. I knew immediately the shells and seed would surround a center of hanging crystals and be called Sanctuary. For several years I could not find an armature but on 9/11/2011, 10 years after ground zero, I came home to find my mulberry tree, known symbolically as a tree of life, had split in two. Its largest branch became the armature for Sanctuary. The latch found its way into another branch structure: Passage.

2012

Mulberry branch, crystals, shells, tumbled glass beads, string, and seed 

72" x 51" x 15"

Sanctuary contains: 36 shells, 36 small crystals, 36 small glass beads, 9 large glass beads, 3 large crystals at its center, & 1 seed. These numbers are connnected. 3+6=9. 3 is a sacred number and 9 is composed of the triple triad 3x3 the supreme spiritual number that represents the triple synthesis of body, mind, and spiritual planes. Because 9 always duplictes iteself when multiplied it symbolizes truth. (Example: 9x3=27 & 2+7=9.) I like that 2 of the basic ingredients in biodynamic farming, calcium (shells) and silica (ground cystals), are the featured ingredients in this piece. It adds another dimension of fostering the earth.

2012

Mulberry branch, crystals, shells, tumbled glass beads, string, and seed

72" x 51" x 15"

2012

Mulberry branch, crystals, shells, tumbled glass beads, string, and seed

72" x 51" x 15"

2012

Mulberry branch, crystals, shells, tumbled glass beads, string, and seed

72" x 51" x 15"

2012

Mulberry branch, crystals, shells, tumbled glass beads, string, and seed

72" x 51" x 15"

2012

Mulberry branch, crystals, shells, tumbled glass beads, string, and seed

72" x 51" x 15"

Before my cousin left to spend a summer in Kenya teaching Samburu children I asked her to bring something back from the earth that could be used in my art. One day visiting a nearby river she directed the children to select some stones. When they presented their stones she told each to choose their favorite stone. Those 9 stones created the core for this structure. When I came across an amber crystal mined in Africa it became the center piece to represent the spirit of the Samburu warrior who watches over and protectes his people. (See Journals 2010 Portfolio: Samburu Warrior series)

2010

Branch, stones, crystals, and string

24" x 52" x 7"

Stones found in Kenya

2010

Branch, stones, crystals, and string

24" x 52" x 7"

Crystal mined in africa

2010

Branch, stones, crystals, and string

24" x 52" x 7"

After moving from the city during my daily walks in the country I would gather feathers and interesting branch fragments along with snake skins. They represented my new surroundings and began the basis for the first piece done in my new studio. Their collection during my transition period seemed a rite of passage from one stage of life into another. An ancient latch sent by a friend traveling in Ethiopia arrived just as Passage was near completion. It underscored a door being unlatched and opened to new adventures.

2008

Branch, twigs, hand made paper, watercolors, feathers, crystals, key, latch, coins, string, and wire

52" x 72" x 21"

Branch, twigs, hand made paper, watercolors, feathers, crystals, key, latch, coins, string, and wire

52" x 72" x 21"

2008

Branch, twigs, hand made paper, watercolors, feathers, crystals, key, latch, coins, string, and wire

52" x 72" x 21"

2008

Branch, twigs, hand made paper, watercolors, feathers, crystals, key, latch, coins, string, and wire

52" x 72" x 21"

2008

Branch, twigs, hand made paper, watercolors, feathers, crystals, key, latch, coins, string, and wire

52" x 72" x 21"