mary jane dodd
mjd - fragile strength 2013
and you are human.
it's no secret that last january i became mortally ill.
there have been surgeries, 3 months of iv antibiotic infusions, and more.
more is the residual, lingering pain.
but this post isn't about the pain -
it's about being a maker and being human.
and what do you do when you get cut off from what allowed you to express yourself?
when i couldn't get to the bench to do metal working, it sent me into a depression. not just because of my inability to physically work (though that was big), but because it was and is how i process thoughts and feelings.
mjd - pin weaving 2013
to my great good fortune, this post came to my attention - and i was able to interpret this technique into something that spoke my language. above you see it as a pendant. below, i changed the shape of the pins into leaves.
mjd - woven leaves 2013
mjd - 2013
i then became interested in small affordable looms that allowed me to make these:
mjd - mat with carved stone 2013
thanks to pinterest (that font of inspiration) - i learned about boro and japanese stitching
mjd - peace flag 2013
and added it to my weaving.
autumn arrived with its gorgeous foliage and hydrangea petals stained by summer.
mjd - fragile strength 2013
mjd - pumpkin garland 2013
i find the stitching to be very soothing
mjd - 2013
mjd - 2013
the point of this post isn't about me -
it's about you.
life doesn't always go along as planned.
and if you are a maker
it is imperative that you find a way to keep doing that.
for you it might be baking,
knitting
crocheting
making your own cards
sewing
or something else that resonates with you.
i just ask you to keep trying
depression
physical injury
emotional injury
are all debilitating.
but you are stronger than any of them -
even on your worst day.
mjd - open heart 2013
remember
'the wound is the place where the Light enters you.'
- rumi
17 comments:
Incredibly moving post. BRAVO. I've always thought about how my art helps me work through life's curve balls. It carries me out of that spot where I'm inert and helpless and where would we be without it? Your new pieces are intriguing and complicated...strong because of the sheer number of threads yet fragile - when you think of one thread and holding on. Thank You for sharing.
Thanks for this, Mary Jane. I needed it!
grazie
I am feeling SO inspired by your reflections, Mary Jane. Most days being able to create beauty is the ONLY thing that gets me through, and usually I feel the negative emotions are the primary forge that powers my creativity. I hope this is coming across as a positive, because believe me, it is VERY powerful to me:) Thank you for your brave words and the beauty of your fragility!
Beautiful post, very inspirational, thank you. Such delicate lovely works.
Thank you for a beautiful post. love the quote from Rumi.
Mary Jane, your words moved me today. Not only is your work exquisite, it is so full of life and beauty.
I did not know that you were so ill, and I am very sorry to hear it. I have Multiple Sclerosis and the best thing about my day is being able to make art in some way. Your post was a beautiful reminder of this - 'you are a maker'. Whether it be in a journal, at the bench or wherever I am able, and sometimes it is those fragile moments that the most beautiful ideas blossom.
Thinking of you. :)
Wonderful message. Thanks for sharing. I am so amazed with your recent works. So delicate and soulful. Inspiration at its best.
Truly inspirational post...thank you for sharing!
MJ...thank you for such a moving and poignant post...so glad you are on the mend...seems like stitching really does go hand in hand with mending...in more ways than one. Xo to you...
Thank you for a beautiful, heartfelt, and inspirational post. You are a maker, you are a sharer, you are an inspiration.
Wow Miss Maire...you just brought me to tears....you take the quote making lemonade out of lemons to an entire new meaning....I've not usually let my life with chronic pain get the better of me...heck @ 51 and living with this disease since I was 18 you have to or what's life worth living....but the last several months its been getting the better of me...in bed 20+ hours a day has taken its toll and I've been deeply depressed....I've got a dream studio and so much rolling in my head I want to create...my body just isn't cooperating and it's so dam frustrating.....your an inspiration and have given me hope...thanks so much for that...I hope you continue to heal and I'm so sorry you had to go through that...I had no idea it was so dire....love and hugs xox
Everything that you write, create, express, make comes from your soul...thanks Mary Jane for being you, a true inspiration.
Mjd. I did not know you were so ill.. I have always been inspired by you and your work..thank u for sharing ..no matter what materials you use your pieces always seem to touch my heart.. as do you
I am so happy that you found a way to create while you were not well. Even more so, I am thankful that you have pulled through this. I love your thought provoking creations and posts. thanks for sharing this, that Rumi quote is amazing.
Wow ... you consistently find ways to inspire and fill our hearts with beauty and hope mary jane ... thank you, with gratitude.
It is so wonderful that you found a new way to "make" and express yourself; love the new-to-you art form. I went through the same type of process when I could no longer knit, crochet or do needlework. But I discovered beads, and that I could create using smaller motions: bead weaving, bead embroidery and bead embellishment.
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