Friday, October 6, 2017

Namaste

Linking up to PAINT PARTY FRIDAY

While there are variations of the literal meaning of the word “Namaste,” I favor the definition given by Mahatma Gandhi: 
“I honor the place within you where the entire universe resides; I honor the place within you of love, of light, of truth, of peace; I honor the place within you, where, when you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.”
We were given the challenge to use Kuchi patches in our art:
Tikka medallions or Kuchi patches are made by the Afghanistan gypsy people. All the visible embroidery or needlework is done by hand so there may be some missing beads, loose threads, etc. because they are vintage
Awesome, right?
No automatic alt text available.


I admit it took a little thought to figure out what I wanted to do with them until I remembered the wire head I had created last year...or was it the year before? Once I laid out all my pieces on a 6x12" canvas I knew instantly it was meant to be. I rarely do "assemblage" type art but I fell in love with this!
Testing to see how it looks

Even though I loved the bright colors against the white background I just felt it needed a little something extra and by adding some texture with molding paste and the Decorative 6-Petal Flower Screen stencil by Gwen Lafleur gave it just the right touch!
Most favorite stencil, like ever!
 Once I completed the texture part I was left with a border so I "framed" the canvas with some Four Seasons washi tape. This tape is sooooooo pretty. 
This beautiful tape features colorful illustrations of scenery throughout the four seasons.

 Next, I began figuring out how to attach the wire head to the canvas. I wanted to give it extra dimension so that it would stand off the canvas while at the same time giving me a way to secure it o the canvas.

So I added some wire to the frame and then ran the wire through a large wooden bead which I secured with glue to help hold it together while I worked.

 I also glued some foam board to the back of the canvas to create a floating frame, once everything was dried I threaded the wire through it and the canvas, and twisted the wires together.

I also took some of the Tibet Jewels yarn And loosely knotted it to form a flower which  I adhered to the canvas with glue.
Ribbon made from recycled silk saris

 Some beauty shots :)
Did I mention how pretty this washi tape is?

Love the vibrant colors!


The finished piece!
I intentionally tried to keep the piece gender neutral to portray the "Hidden" meaning behind the quote so that it applies to a conscious thought.


The glasses read:
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau tells us to not only view the world around us from a sensory input means, but more importantly to see beyond the shapes, colors and lighting to the inner meaning and beauty contained in the world around us. Thoreau wants us to understand that it is often the “unseen” or the “perceived” that is far more important than the “seen” or “input from our eyes”. We must take in the world around us with our mind’s eye rather than just our physical eye.

Namaste

17 comments:

Linda Kunsman said...

Love your assemblage and the meaning and symbolism of it. Yes those beaded pieces are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the step outs too. Happy PPF!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful assemblage with deep meaning. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

Gwen Lafleur said...

This is such a fantastic piece, Sandee! The way you used the patches was super creative, and I love how you pulled it all together with the tape, sari yarn, and that fabulous wire face! Very cool to see how you mounted it all too. Awesome project!

BrownPaperBunny said...

I love that definition and the love what you did this week, very cool! Happy PPF!

John R said...

A lovely piece of artwork. Love those beads. We have something similar made by Appalachian natives. They are really colourful when hanging around the house and they are enough to brighten up any day.

Jean said...

Very creative! I enjoyed reading how it all came together!

Clare Lloyd said...

Fab altered art

Edzellinni aka Linda Edkins Wyatt said...

Very original, and a clever use of the kuchi patches! Love the quote you incorporated on the glasses

sirkkis said...

How original, wonderful artwork. Creative, too.
Have a happy weekend 💕

Anonymous said...

Awesome work!

Gloria j Zucaro said...

a wonderful piece today using old and new. I love the idea of adding texture with the molding paste and a stencil. Amazed you are able to lay down the tape in such a straight line! It is beautiful.

Giggles said...

Very deep and creative, honoring many things in one piece!! So lovely!!

Peace Giggles

BLOGitse said...

You have imagination - amazing piece of art!

Lynda Shoup said...

Sandee,
I love this. It is so outside the box and yet so clear. Absolutely love your thought process and explanation as well, though the piece by no means needs explanation.

DVArtist said...

Wonderful use of the patch. It is interesting that the patterns are Native American and Huichol.

Jackie PN said...

Hello Tribe Sister1
I finally have made it around and WOW! You say you do not dabble much in assemblage? Well, could have fooled me!
Sandee, this is pretty FAB! I so dig those glasses and how you placed the quote on them, which by the way,is a great quote!
The Kuchi patches each look like they were made for the places you chose. And the other Lafleur products you incorporated,spot on perfect! Which Washi is that?it is So colorful!and...I LOVE that stencil as well, one of my favs!
Excellent canvas and such a clever design Sandee!Well done!
hugs,Jackie

JKW said...

The piece turned out gorgeous.Blessings, Janet