loose ends

mary jane dodd

mjd - 2013

my work is driven by thoughts and feelings.

i came upon some words of rumi that resounded richly -

'the wound is the place where the Light enters you.'

mjd - 2013

where the Light enters, 

it heals and intensifies.

this results in a need

for its release

so as to share it with others.

mjd - 2013

loose ends 

can have purpose.

mjd - 2013

they are like a hand extended

or a rope thrown to a drowning person.

available and willing 

to anyone who needs them.

creating ties where none existed before.

looking back, looking forward...

mary jane dodd

mary jane dodd - 'portals to awakening' triptych 2011

this post is a continuation of my last... 

i find it interesting when one is guided in a project by thoughts that have so permeated your being that you don't even realize it... until you are done... 

i am leaving 'nascent' behind as my focus word... it has served me well and, in fact, was a key part of the inspiration for these pieces... the pregnant forms... the word 'emerge' in the first form...  

i knew i needed to use a butterfly wing gifted to me by a friend... the word 'fly' from an antique dictionary... and at the last minute the fibers were calling - 

the resin is filled with air bubbles in the final piece - as if these thoughts, these desires come bubbling out as you open... 

but when i began to shoot the images, to take the close up pictures, i recognized that my new word was participating as well as someone else's -  

rumi... 

'we come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust.'
(the first closed form with the spiral)


'you were born with potential
you were born with goodness and trust
you were born with ideals and dreams
you were born with greatness
you were born with wings
you are not meant for crawling, so don't.
you have wings, 
learn to use them and fly.'

(the final form)

and my word?

transcend... 

no matter what happens with the submission to the exhibition, i am well pleased with the lessons learned in craft and of self... 

does your work reflect back to you things you don't realize you hold?

wishing you all abundance of love, happiness and good health in the new year... and may you always find the balance in any situation... 

from the depths of your experience

mary jane dodd

life is bitter sweet - a beautiful struggle... and it seems to be intensified by the holidays... i have been musing upon this, needing to put my hands on these words to fully embrace both sides... cutting antique paper that has been touched by others... finding the balance... 


it is our humanity that is universal - we share these things... one year may be filled with more of one than the other, but it evens out over time... for one, for all... 


so if it is more of a struggle year for you, a wish to find some of the beauty is being sent your way - it is there, just stay open... 

'only from the heart

can you touch the sky.'

~ rumi