Willow
"The
mirror reflects more than my hands can feel.
Lines, edges, shadings, a weariness under the eyes, an awkward stance.
Yet, not reflected is a certain vibrancy --
a compassion and wisdom and wonder so many people rely on.
Only you, my beaded art doll,
capture the fullness of me as I age in place .
You embody changes I want to make, so I aptly name you…"
Willow
You were
not always as you appear this day. You were fearful and lonely. You turned
to learning for a safe haven, a place for you to be acknowledged in a
positive light. Then sprang the hunger to be taught, a desire that was
placed within the seed from which you sprang. Your roots began to thrive
in the fertile soil that had been plowed by your ancestors' faith. They
grew deeper and had tapped into the eternal spring of the Spirit and from
it cam an understanding.
As you
persued wisdom and understanding, you came to recognise the Gardener who
came to tend your branches and teach you His ways. Your hands learned
to feel the move of the Spirit and the texture of joy, to release the
anointing, and to cut the threads of tension and to share the exhilaration
of freedom. Your eyes tell many stories, but when they see their own reflection
only one thing is there. In that moment the mirror shares a vision of
His mercy renewed. Looking at your earthen vessel, I can see that you
are no longer a child, you have put aside childish ways. I discern the
weariness that has bent you. Being on guard day and night has taken its
toll, but you have been delivered from your enemies. Sorrow has turned
into joy and mourning into a day of celebration.
Now that
you are maturing in the body, you can fulfill your calling to serve His
children. You will teach them how to hope in their time of need, show
them what to eat when they are hungry, and clothe them in their nakedness.
Sometimes, you grow weary but you continue on in a strength, not your
own, but one that stands the test of time. The joy of the Lord is your
strength, the only one that keeps you standing. Though a mirror may tell
us of things we do not know or even may not want to know, it does not
possess the power of revelation that is the vision I see of your spirit.
Not everyone will be able to fathom the faith that is within you. It has
been cultivated for generations and it keeps growing stronger and bolder.
It is a vibrancy reflected off the living waters poured through your inner
being that spreads light to those around you. There is a compassion for
the weak and abandoned that shades and embraces those in need of His mercy
and love. They are encouraged and nourished by the fruit that you bear.
You are patient and kind, faithful and self-controlled. You possess a
wisdom and understanding that many come to learn from.
Only
you, Willow, capture the fullness of my spirit as He sees me. A vision
of amazing grace and boundless mercy. A timeless beauty who serves with
a pure heart. You are a figure of royal elegance worthy to be called "Mother".
He has carefully pruned away every branch that did not bear fruit, moulded
every curve and drawn every line. He is faithful to grow, strengthen,
encourage, and uplift you.
Now with
such poise, you stand in the garden while showers of blessing rain down.
You are forgiven and redeemed, a most beloved creation of the Heavenly
Father. He gives you rest from your enemies and an eternity in the most
beautiful garden of all.
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Side Image
Back Image
Detailed Image
(rotation)
List of Materials
and Techniques Employed
Dimensions:
11 x 12 x 8 -- the base adds apprx. 3 inches to height
Construction
Techniques:
Willow is made from an original form that I created using a simple torso
pattern that I manipulated into a stump form with limbs attached in the
back.
I
chose the form of a tree for many reasons. All of which are derived from
scripture. Many facets of Christian spirituality are based on natural
laws that apply to growing, that is, seeds, seasonal growth, roots, pruing,
and even bearing fruit. More than that, I have always reflected on the
story (Mat 8:24) of a blind man that was healed and had to have his sight
readjusted because he had the vision of trees walking who were people.
I never thought it was a mistake, I just saw it as a revelation of what
our spirit must look like. If we are to "judge a tree by its fruit",
then we must see one another as a tree.
Of
all the trees, I chose a Willow. It's branches are not proud and though
it appears to weep it is actually content to allow its brances to flow
with the wind (symbolic of the spirit). It is a pliable strength that
relies on more than its shallow earthen roots to uphold it. It seems to
be a soft h umble creation with amazing grace and beauty.
Materials
List:
cotton
fabric
silk dupioni
quilt batting
fiber-fill
polymer clay
acrylic paint
floral wire
wood dowels
hand cut cedar trunk base
purchased oval basswood plaque
wood stain
Dupont clear laquer finish
Coats thread
Nymo
C-lon
beads: 6s, 8s, 11s, 15's
various pearls (shapes, sizes, and colors)
2mm dorado Swarovski bicones
6mm drop bead (there really is only one)
stamped metal leaves
Techniques:
doll making and armature
beaded backstitch
freeform peyote
right angle weave
bocce stitch
weeping willow vine (adpated) and
NanC Meinhardt's frothy fringe (adapted)
- from Barbara Grainger's Dimensional Flowers, Leaves and Vines
Polymer clay - adjusting a molded face's features
marbeling clay
painting
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