In with the New
Last May, I acknowledged my husband's dementia diagnosis, and shared the metaphor of the Gingko tree and it's unique abscission process in late fall.
Talking about his health openly was a decision we both made and felt it was right for us. Being vulnerable can be very uncomfortable, but usually that feeling is short term. For us, it turned into a voice that helped others feel less alone, and provided communication that has given us precious time with those who support us.
Being vulnerable and open
became a positive experience.
I've shared that being in my studio, imagining, working with my hands, making, producing, helps me stay sane with this new caregiving role.
Late last year I created several designs incorporating Gingko tree leaves that I labored over for a few months. I set them aside. I went back at it again and made some changes and edits. I tested small samples with encaustic. I set them aside again.
When I looked at them with fresh eyes, they just weren't right. They weren't appropriate for smaller sized panels. There was way too much going on. The message of hope was getting lost in too many details.
New ideas flowed into my brain like a tsunami.
I'll be fine tuning these and creating samples in the studio with actual leaves and encaustic. In the coming month or two, I'll see how they need to be, what colors will work, how to add texture to the encaustic, what lines and marks I could use. I'll figure out what materials I need to use to make these into Positivity Panels for you.
Grab a beverage, come Inside the Studio and I'll show you what I'm talking about...
https://youtu.be/pJr2qxi_RK0
With gratitude,
PS If you didn't get a chance to read the blog about the Gingko tree metaphor,it's right here.
Gingko leaves coated with encaustic and metallic pigment
embedded Gingko leaf sample embedded in encaustic with marks, pigment and a dab of metallic pigment
“Persist, pivot or concede, it’s up to us, our choice every time. ”
~ Matthew McConaughey, Greenlight