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My embroidered mandala series both represents and was created through my reclamation of the joy of being human.
I would call myself a recovering perfectionist. In my early 20s, chronic illness dashed my type-A life plan, forcing me to confront my deeply held stories about motivation and self worth. "Mandala 1 - Sunburst," came to me a few years after rediscovering the art of hand embroidery in adulthood. As the earliest of my ongoing mandala series, it was my first foray into stitching as a form of meditation. Hand embroidery is an inherently slow practice but prior to this piece I primarily worked with a detailed planning phase before even beginning the first stitch. While the outline of "Sunburst" was planned, each stitch was an exercise in letting the materials and colors speak to me over the months I sat with it. What was decided at the start, however, was that this artwork would take the time that it took. No rushing to the finish line. No pushing myself on days when my body and mind needed rest. This artwork would be a celebration of slowing down. I worked the mandala from the outside in and as I pulled the needle and thread I felt drawn to intensify the colors more and more and to experiment with new textures, encouraged by the freedom I'd offered myself to play with combinations of stitches in close proximity that I had not explored before.
Our humanity is meandering, flawed, and we were not put on this earth just to hustle and grind. "Sunburst" serves as a reminder of the immense power of rest and allowing things to unfold in their own time.
Additional Information
CARE
To keep your prints looking their best, treat them the same way you would original artwork. Use clean, dry hands when handling and hold by the edges of the print when possible to avoid getting finger smudges on the surface.
Small prints are delivered via rigid envelope and are ready-to-frame. Large prints are delivered in postal tubes and may require counter-rolling or to lay weighted on a flat, clean surface overnight to relax before framing.
The archival ink and paper these artworks utilize is known for its longevity, however, it is always best practice to hang your prints out of direct sunlight and/or frame with UV protective glass to maintain the integrity of your prints coloration.
HANDCRAFTED
Each piece is lovingly made one stitch at a time. No two are exactly alike, even those with repeated designs. Variations in color and shape are normal and part of the charm of handmade goods.
MATERIALS
I use a combination of new, vintage, antique, and reclaimed materials across my work. Please check photos and descriptions of items carefully before purchasing. Features some might think of as “imperfections” will be noted whenever possible.