During my trip to Japan and Thailand with my mother in 1979, the image that impacted me the most was a winter-bare tree just outside a temple. On the tree were hundreds of short lengths of white cotton fabric, each tied in a single knot to individual branches, each symbolizing a prayer for a loved one who had passed. The feeling of deep reverence stayed with me.
It wasn't until 2007-2008 that I was able to create the series that resulted from that experience. I call it "Prayer Ties."
As I sat with a basket of leaves, as I cut each string and tied it to each leaf, I felt that same reverence. I was struck by how each leaf or pod or stalk was its own being, had its own unique presence. They taught me about "seeing" and recognizing the being-ness of all things. The act of tying became a meditation, bringing me to stillness within.
It wasn't until 2007-2008 that I was able to create the series that resulted from that experience. I call it "Prayer Ties."
As I sat with a basket of leaves, as I cut each string and tied it to each leaf, I felt that same reverence. I was struck by how each leaf or pod or stalk was its own being, had its own unique presence. They taught me about "seeing" and recognizing the being-ness of all things. The act of tying became a meditation, bringing me to stillness within.
This first one I called "Prayer Wall with Beech Leaves." Of all of these pieces, this is the only one that didn't hold up to time.
It measures 112" tall by 72" wide.
It measures 112" tall by 72" wide.
After creating the piece above, I felt driven to do the same with milkweed pods. It was winter but the woods road I walked was clear of snow. I went out, determining to find milkweed. As I walked the same woods road I had always walked, I noticed for the first time a small open field to my left. It was covered in snow and the winter husks of milkweed! I felt blessed. Below is the piece I created. It is called "Prayer Wall with Milkweed Pods" and measures 112" high by 72" wide. In 2023, it is still in good condition.
In the same field, I was struck by the shapes of boles in goldenrod, so I harvested them too. Below is "Prayer Field with Goldenrod and Boles." It measures 55" wide by 44" high. It too is in good condition after all these years.
I was fascinated by the simplicity of this piece, so I decided to try something like it. I love its simplicity and grace. It is called "Prayer Wall with Branches" and measures 87” wide x 64” high.
I had to try one more. My mother gave me a big pine cone, thinking I could use it in my newest work. Below is the piece that came from that. I call it "Prayer Wall with Cone Scales" and it measures 57” wide x 44” high. I drilled a tiny hole in each cone scale before tying it. Again, I loved the individual being-ness of each scale. Needless to say, this one took me a little while!
I realized I wasn't done with the milkweed. It still holds a fascination for me. So I created one more piece with it. It is here below. I call it "Prayer Windows with Milkweed Pods" and it measures 64” wide x 61.5” high. Somehow, each pod, single or double, as I tied it and placed it inside its own window, became for me a sacred prayer being, perhaps a Tibetan monk, a dove . . . .
Because my studio now is so small, I can only re-create these by commission. I do not want to part with most of the originals. I can re-create them in the same size and/or create much smaller pieces that have the same feeling but more intimacy. Please feel free to contact me, if interested.
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