A coming together
The idea of coming together, the expression in assemblage bundles, and working in the opposite way...
After nearly two years of unraveling and unbundling and staying far away, the spaces between us are coming closer again. We can stand beside each other. We can embrace and be around each other. We can hold and feel each others’ presence more.
I began to think of bundles in this a coming together, and was drawn to making them. An assemblage of sticks held together by tree bark, and indigo thread, I could almost imagine them, as I’ve made them before. But I knew they’d also be different, because each one, each assemblage, is always different.
The most significant difference, though, was considering in advance this concept of coming together, which is what I typically never do.
I typically work in the opposite way. I just start creating and meaning shows up in the process, not in pre-conceived ideas. I pay attention to associations, connections, thoughts, and insights that come up and something meaningful always appears, at least to me.
The idea of a concept was part of the course I just completed, Essence of Identity with Donna Watson. She suggested to start with an idea, a meaningful concept to explore, and then determine the subject matter for how to express that idea.
I wanted to try it. What if I did it her way, the other way around? What would I discover? And what if I stayed with that concept for a while and explored it in a deeper way to form a series?
STICKS
Resilient and supple and bending when things get tough, and not breaking, and then breaking away when needed.
TREE BARK
River birch tree bark peeling away in delicate strips, shedding layers, and opening up to the newness underneath.
SILK THREAD
Shimmery and effervescent, hand-spun and indigo hand-dyed in Laos, gently bringing it all together.
WIRE
Holding from the inside, sturdy and assuring, yet letting all the space flow freely in between.
I’m still exploring the idea of coming together – gathering, connecting, bonding, and belonging. It’s taking the form of assemblage bundles and there’s so much more to explore with this. Perhaps the idea will evolve, or the expression will as I stay with it for a little while longer and see where it takes me.
I want to try. What will I discover?
“A coming together” was originally published as an exclusive post to my Patreon supporters in March 2022. Now the writing and photos are public to you, too!
And I’m excited to announce that since December 2022, I’ve switched to Ko-fi!
Ko-fi is also an online creator platform and makes it easy for fans to financially support creatives with either a one-time donation or signing up for a monthly subscription. It is where I share early access and exclusive content of my creative process, original stories, and inspiration. My work explores fiber arts, nature gathering, mark making, photography, and writing.
Want to join me and other supporters on a journey? By joining one of my monthly membership tiers, I get to show my appreciation to you by offering benefits! Depending on the tier, the benefits I offer are behind the scenes, works in progress, personal stories, early access, exclusive content, and mailed packages of my art, experiments, and/or Lao materials.
Want to offer a little support because you like what you see or read? I’m humbly grateful for your one-time donation!
A big shout out to my wonderful supporters! Thank you, each of you, for supporting my ongoing creative work – Julie B, Sharmila K, Sushmita M, Kori J, Marga F, Kara B, Kristina L, Laura C, Louise B, Beck C, Skip M, Chris Z, and Richie M. It means so much and I am grateful. I think of you as create these posts, what I write about and share, and I hope that it offers you insight and inspiration along the way.
