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?

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