Storyteller ~ Enchanted

I have always felt that each of my pieces told their own unique story and this belief motivated me to develop an actual "storyteller" series.  The original piece in this series was inspired by my "lonesome" beads . . . the leftovers from other projects that there were never enough to do much else with.  I took out these tiny handfuls of beads one day trying to decide whether to keep them or to let them go.  As I looked at the sad little piles, memories of the original pieces that I had created from them came flooding back.  There was a cohesiveness to the colors that spoke of my unique artistic aesthetic and the variety of shapes all together captured my imagination.  I began to see these orphan beads as tiny puzzle pieces that together told a story of my creative process and the original storyteller piece was born!

Since this first creation, countless ideas for pieces have continuously flowed through my imagination. One piece in particular captures the essence of what I dreamed and hoped a storyteller piece could.  It is a piece that was inspired in every way by my daughter, Alex, who is the most unique and wondrous person imaginable.  There was nothing else it could be called but "Enchanted".

Enchanted is Alex's story, created with precious tokens from her childhood coupled with select items that I felt captured her uniqueness and personality.  All of these memories found their special place on a piece of river polished wood that I found in Alex's favorite place on Earth . . . Enchanted Valley!  This creation tells a part of my daughter's epic life story so clearly and I feel incredibly moved and privileged to know this soul so deeply.  Enchanted was Alex's birthday remembrance in 2016 and this poem that I wrote while in her sacred valley accompanied it:

​for alex ~

In the magical mist of early morn,
I sit alone in silent reverence at meadow’s edge
to witness the consecrated, eternal falling.
Silver strands of liquid hope
from distant, prophetic heights
. . .  we must never lose faith.
 
And I heard a river chorus in concert with all the creatures of the land echoing your name.
I saw your grace and beauty in hosts of dancing wildflowers,
felt your rage and grief in the woundedness of the windfall,
your resilience and perseverance in the lush evergreen forest,
and your strength and integrity in the grandeur of the ancient cliffs.
 
Here in this sacred refuge
I am wholly surrounded by your passionate spirit
and the depth of your soul resonates within me.
This divine landscape truly reflects the essence and magic that is you.
No wonder it is called “enchanted.”

mom – august 10, 2016