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.

The Healer: The Process #3 Gown

THE JOURNEY

It is in our walk of life that our experiences weave into our lives, each offering a unique opportunity for growth. It's often the struggles that serve as the catalyst for our deepest growth.

It's within the struggle that a profound transformation can occur. It is within that power that we can reshape ourselves and, subsequently, our lives.

Once we've undergone a transformation and healed, we're in a position to help others towards a better life. We become a sacred hope. And because we have made the journey and seen it through, we become healers.

As we are on this journey, we gather information. Teachings and precious gifts of understanding. This is The Healer.

For this Healer, the gifts of the journey are expressed in her gown. She carries these gifts with her wherever her feet take her.

THE GIFTS

For the Healer to carry her gifts, she needed a gown. But one from the past that brings that energy with it. Worn but not faded and wise -at peace.

I chose vintage crepe kimono. Since I create from what I have, I had to pick two pieces to have enough to create the full garment.

The bodice/jacket was fashioned in a scrambled mix of colors, while the skirt had a distinct geometric design. The beauty was that all the colors were seamless in both pieces of fabric.

THE HIDDEN MAGIC

As any healer would have, she carries her magic under her cloak. Her remedies of the heart come from forms of plants.

The interior fabric was created years ago in a workshop with Linda Illumanardi using the eco-dyeing technique. I have saved my pieces for just the right time...which is now!

To enhance the magic, I highlighted the stems and flower centers with gold metallic watercolor and silver champagne ink.

Some have asked, 'Why are you hiding such beautiful fabric?' 

That is the message here. Not everything must be front and center to hold its magic. Sometimes it is in the hidden that we find the most significant surprises!

The Map of the Healer

As she travels, she finds that her path is placed before her. It may not always be painstakingly planned out. I depicted her path at the edge of her skirt hem.

This was created by following the path (design) of the plants. Some paths connect while others are of their own accord. It is her map.

 

Pantaloons

Any Healer knows that you may have to resort to horseback sometime in your journey.

So, being prepared with an undergarment of pant-like wear would be helpful.

Made from cotton batik- pieced with different stitches.

Sensible Shoes

As we walk our path. What are our shoes? 

The "shoes to walk a path" symbolizes the resources, experiences, and understanding we have or need to navigate our life journey. 

In our resources, experiences, and understanding, we have the chance to grow and heal.

For this Healer, I used a vintage kimono wool, lined in a deep scarlet red, and added leather laces to her ankle boots.

And isn't this life? 

We may sometimes follow, we may even backtrack, but our own path is always the most fulfilling in finding our own magic.

Next week- 

Her hat and final images!

Visit my website to see more of my work 

and upcoming workshops.