mary jane dodd

mjd - 2014

it is no mere coincidence that the moonflower blossoms at night.

it requires darkness

and the silvery light of the moon 

for the creamy white bloom to open. 

mjd - 2014

there are things that grow in the dark night of the soul

that, quite simply,

would never come to exist in any other way. 

these gifts only arrive in times of struggle and sorrow.

don't miss them because you are focused on the light at the end of the tunnel -

be in the tunnel - 

and find strength in knowing they are there along with you to be discovered.

-----------------------------------

grounded

'grounded' amulet - mjd 2013

claw of a badger (ethically sourced)

raw rough amber

gorgeous stone from montana

handspun fibers

grounded

where your materials come from,

your attitude

and emotional state of being while working,

all affect the energy of your finished work.

i fully believe in the power that working on a piece

and working through emotional conflict

and confusion

holds.

knowing that each can mutually resolve

to the benefit of the other.

'grounded' amulet - mjd 2013

i don't often begin knowing where something like this piece

will lead. 

but upon completion, 

i get to see it with different eyes

hear the story it wants to tell.

and always

always

i get to give thanks 

for the use of my hands

to work with and through

that 

which i think,

feel 

and notice.

in progress...

mary jane dodd

'...with intention' 2012

know your materials:

clay thai amulet... i have finally found these locally, i have such resistance to buying them online... if i am using them as authentic amulets, i do not want fakes in my work... 

tibetan double terminated quartz crystal that has a beautiful iridescence inside... not a herkimer diamond - they are double terminated quartz crystals as well, but are mined only around herkimer, ny, usa... i wanted the tibetan quartz here... 

red thread refers to a chinese proverb -

 'an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. the thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.'

gemstones are beautiful for color, but they are also believed to have metaphysical properties... you can enhance a piece by imbuing them with the power of certain stones... 

i have pages of text in sanskrit - it is beautiful to look at... but i won't use it in my resin work because i do not know what it says... i believe strongly that your choices affect the energy of a piece... 

what are some of the details that you find to be important?

and please stop by art saves curated by barbara lewis this week... today she features past posts from staci's and my blogs... 

i know that art has saved me over and over - how has it affected your life?