Woman Tree, She Begets, Kacey's Quilt
We are rooted in the earth, sinking our roots deep. We create safe places for conversations. We make homes sharing our hospitality. We engage in deep breathing and thinking, making way for the sacred within us. Three women began conversing over a year ago about each of their ministries and what each felt called to. Each voice was rooted in the sacred, womanly presence of Mother. I began to reflect on each of us, women in ministry, as trees taking root in our various places. Some are transplanted to a space with other trees close by, while others continue to grow in wide, open spaces...
Woman Tree: Rooted in Mother Earth.
copyright Suzanne L. Vinson 2008.
As I meditated on what it means to be a part of a sacred grove, I met with a minister-potter-kindred spirit who was also embracing a vision of a woman tree, where each branch split into another. Immediately the image that had been formed in my mind's eye took a new shape and Woman Tree: Rooted in Mother Earth took form. While I deem this block in "works" I add mixed media to each I print. The image you have before you is of a tree in works, in bloom, in life. More shall come.
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She Begets She Begets
Design copyright Ana Y. Karim. 2008.
Ana, my minister-potter-kindred spirit sketched her image which I created into a block for her pottery. Here is part of the print for you to enjoy and see some of my inspiration. My image before coffee with Ana included a tree with women "swimming" throughout, all one pool of leaves together.
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Kacey's Quilt.
Design copyright Suzanne L. Vinson. 2008.
Trees are throughout my art, from the name of my art to each art form. Quilting has been an art form that I have found soul nourishing. The tree here is one that I have sketched for years. The leaves are falling and becoming as they flow gracefully to the earth. Each stitch that I sew becomes a prayer for health and wholeness for myself, those who see the quilt, and for Kacey-it's intended. As these cool nights strip the color from the trees outside my window, I can look to this tree and regain a little spirit. When the winter blues sink in, I receive warmth and wholeness from these layers of love. As I quilt, I fondly remember the days spent with my Granny, my sweet grandmother who died of Parkinson's disease. She was a quilter and her quilts warm each of us at night. I feel blessed that through the continuation of these art forms, the art of my ancestors, I can both be blessed and bless. My ministry takes shape in these stitches as I feed my soul and find hope in tomorrow.
Trees tell stories. Trees preach. Trees teach. What do these trees say to you?
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Comments
Beth B. writes:
Thank you so much for these beautiful images, both written and in "print." I, too, feel connected to my ancestors through sewing and love finding ways to express my spirituality through fabric.
I appreciate your relationship with trees, as well. Blessing to you and your ministry.
—December 01, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Jess R writes:
How beautiful and moving these images are. Trees are also very sacred symbols to me and speak to me of Mother and the connectedness of God's creation.
—April 28, 2009 at 10:25 PM