Spirits
As I mentioned in my last post, Seth Apter asked the contributing artists to create two pieces for his book, a self-portrait, and the other had to be a visual response to a question that he posed.
The question he posed to me was: What is your current obsession?
And this book art piece was my response:
Title: “Spirits”
Media: plaster, inkjet prints, encaustic, string
2010
This was my written response:
Right now I am obsessed with incorporating encaustic with paper, and more specifically book art. The combination of wax and paper is really beautiful as the paper absorbs the wax and becomes translucent if the paper is thin. You can also create 3-dimensional forms with paper and wax. There are just so many possibilities, it is exciting to experiment with! This piece I created, “Spirits” was created using plaster, paper and encaustic and is meant to hang like a mobile.
This piece has very personal meaning for me and it is one of those pieces that all just kind of came together in both form and meaning at the very end. The words are from a journal entry I wrote in 1998 when I was reflecting on the 4 year anniversary of my sister’s death. I wrote:
Sometimes i think that the wind is more than just currents of air
it is the spirits of those i’ve known and even others of my own unknown
spirits reminding me of their presence and the impermanence of life
That morning of her 4 year anniversary, I remember walking through campus (my senior year in college) and I was thinking of my sister and a huge gust of wind blew around me and with it fallen leaves lifted into that air and danced all around my long skirt. Then they flew up at least 5 feet into the air continuing its intricate dance. I’ll never forget it.
Perhaps it was just a regular old gust of wind, but perhaps not. I’ll always think of it as her spirit giving me a playful embrace.
This book hangs from a rafter in my studio and at times it sways and twirls with the passing breezes that raft through. Light filters through the wax encased images, setting off a soft glow.
Form + Meaning. One of the magical things that can happen with book art.
A beautiful piece and a beautiful post! Wow, you gave me goose-bumps!
Magical indeed Bridgette. I am so pleased to have this piece in my book. Your thoughts about spirits and the wind has given me goosebumps. I am a believer too!
Such a sweet post - mystical and loving -- and believable. I too lost a sister and I think she visits every so often.
your Spirit piece gives me goosebumps and hope . . .
This is a lovely memory piece. Well that is what it reminds me of, anyway. It is strong (plaster) and delicate (string/movement) all at once. It's perfectly wonderful. Love your work! The leaves swirling around you is a special memory hey? It is one of the big ones. *smiles* Norma
Just so beautiful,Bridgette! both the art and words.
I was really drawn to this piece you created in Seth's book and I'm even more drawn to it after hearing the story behind the piece. It's truly beautiful and the title is perfect.
Feeling the goosebumps all over again reading the story you told us this summer. Love this. xo
What a beautiful piece(s) of art and what a story too. True, I'd choose to believe in the spirit wind sent from your sister. Yes!
Goosebumps, tears, hope, certainty. A beautifully magical post. Thank you.
What a beautiful post and a beautiful piece of art.
Absolutely beautiful........
Thank you all so much...I really appreciate it. It's comforting to feel that the spirits of our loved ones visit all of us from time to time.
this is truly a lovely piece. I love your words to describe it. Perfect.
absolutely gorgeous!