Week 14

Mimi: detail

 Mimi:    Simple Still

I had vellum paper with blue graph on it.  I started sewing on it with red thread making spots.  I was thinking about the blue of the lines and I remembered the blue piece Bibi and her daughter did for a show I curated a few years ago.   I thought about my sister’s family and their old, old dog.  The rhythm of the stitching felt right.

Bibi:    Spirit

On Wednesday, Woniya passed away. I didn’t want to focus on her today.

I found some white batting material that had some sweater pills stuck to it. The pattern that was created reminded me of an eagle. The eagle is significant because after Woniya passed away, I saw an eagle in the sky and felt that the eagle was transporting her spirit.

Bibi: detail

In another drawer, I found a blue ceramic face that my friend Tanya had give to me. The expression on it was exactly how I felt the day I saw the eagle. I stuck my hand in another drawer and pulled out a baby moccasin. It fit together both visually and symbolically, as Woniya was a Native American dog and I had considered her to be my “baby.”

The ribbon on the back of the face also worked. I tied it into a bow. It made me think of a present. The present. That life is a gift and that the time we share with others is precious. Also, Woni liked Tanya. I believe that Woniya considered Tanya to be part of her “pack.”

This was a very personal piece. I told Mimi about my encounter with the eagle when Woni died. Mimi wanted permission to share the story with her sister who was struggling with letting go and dealing with her own dog’s death.

Mimi did a piece using blue graph paper and red dots. In my piece, I made a blue balloon that has red dots on it.

 

Mimi: Simple Still - Thread on graphed vellum.  Bibi: Spirit - Found objects.

                            

                            Spirit   B.H.M.

                            Woniya Shunka

                            a spirit dog

                            tames us

                            in a ten years time

                            Woniya Shunka

                            a spirit dog

                            left us

                            wi

                           the anguish, beauty, and majesty

                           in one breath

                           Woniya Shunka

                           a spirit dog

                           rejoin the Great Spirit

                           with broad wings of Eagles

                           Woniya Shunka

                           take a soaring flight

                           in us and all

                           a spirit dog