The Madonnas: La Luz- Part 1

 The Madonna: A New Beginning

Symbolism has always been at the heart of my art. I find myself drawn to the stories, textures, and hidden meanings that weave themselves into each piece I create. Recently, I’ve felt a clear calling to begin a new series: The Madonna.

The first stage of this journey begins with sculpting the head—a quiet, intimate process where form emerges from silence. Just as important as the figure itself is the fabric that will embrace it.

For this Madonna Series, I am turning to the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Juan Diego. His cloak, made of humble corn husk, carried within it the miraculous image of the Virgin—a reminder of faith, humility, and transformation.

For my Madonnas, I have chosen a vintage linen threaded with gold. The delicate shimmer of gold woven through the fabric catches the light, illuminating the features and infusing the piece with both reverence and radiance. I hope this combination of story, symbol, and fabric will bring forth a Madonna that feels both timeless and alive.

Vintage linen was dyed to a deeper skin tone!

This is only the beginning of the series, but already I feel the threads of history, faith, and symbolism guiding my hands.

 La Luz

As I continue to shape this series, I wish to draw on my Spanish heritage, enriching it with my love of symbolism. The next vision has revealed itself: Madonna of the Light — La Luz.

Light itself is a symbol of divine presence, of guidance, of the unseen made visible. In this Madonna, I am bringing forth the imagery of the moth—delicate, instinctive, and ever drawn to the flame. The moth teaches us trust. She does not question the light; she moves toward it with certainty, knowing she will be sustained, knowing all will be provided for her.

This small creature becomes a reminder of faith and surrender. Just as Juan Diego’s humble cloak bore the miraculous image, the moth shows us that even the most fragile beings are sustained by light. In La Luz, the gold-threaded linen will carry this symbolism, catching illumination as though the figure herself glows from within—an eternal flame calling us closer.

The Madonna of the Light is not only a figure to behold, but a story of trust: that when we follow the light, even through the shadows, we are guided toward what we need most.

Head sculpted and covered in the linen: 

hand-tinted and painted features

More to come! Stay Tuned!
xoxo
Leslie

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The Healer: Process #4 Final

Initially, my art comes as a word, a vision, an idea that I must capture in a quick sketch. 

Which is usually tweaked as the design unfolds...

FULL IMAGES INCLUDED IN THIS POST.

It, then, will find its way to my heart space, and through that, it comes to my hands. I am always guided. Even if I have to start something over, it is still through guidance. 

It is that guidance that tells me something is off and not what was intended. This reassurance, this knowledge that I am not alone in my creative journey, is invaluable. It creates a great sense of calm when I am designing.

The beauty of The Healer is that I knew what I wanted to capture in separate concepts, and it was my charge to put them together in a cohesive manner.

I questioned whether there were too many concepts. I always tell my students to tell their story clearly.

So my dearest reader, I will let you decide...

Special note: This piece was detailed for the Collector.

The Healer's Heart...Red String:

The East Asian tradition holds that people who are destined to be in our lives are connected by a red string. 

Life will bring us together again despite the passage of time, changing circumstances, or distance.

In this case, there are nine threads tied to her heart. These represent the nine people who have an essential role in her life. They are always connected and a part of one's life weaving.

Tags:

Each tag is printed with the name and relation of the special person tied to her heart.

The tags are printed onto silk and tied to the end of her life's weaving. They follow her on her life journey, always present and there to lend support.

Hat:

Her hat is woven silk overlaid with silk gauze to mimic a straw-like surface. The soft yellow color represents the sun. The interior color, deep red silk, connects again to the heart and the red strings. The top is made of the same fabric as the boots, providing protection and calling in insight from the Divine from Head to Toe.

Book:

This handmade book holds all of her thoughts and connections with each person.  Plus, the meaning of each symbol used in this special piece.

Contents are personal and kept confidential.

Final Images:

LINKS to previous posts:

The Healer Process #1 The Creating
The Healer Process #2  The Weaving
The Healer Process #3 The Gown

Until we meet again....

"I am listening to eternity and it is speaking through me."
Reverend Seifu

Please visit my website to see more of my work

and upcoming workshops.