The last week of the year is special.
All the hustle, bustle and added to-do’s that define December are now in the rear view, making way for pockets of time to sit back and think about what’s next.
My final project of the year was a commission that a I’ve kept mum about until final approval. The directive was for it to be about a foot tall, a house nestled in branches and, similar to Snow Moon, covered with trees. Much like Firestorm, it was to be wrapped in a mantle of organza, this time embroidered with leaves. Prominent colors would be browns, oranges and greens. The aim was for the house to feel enveloped in nature and to represent, as my collector put it, “sanctuary from the crazy times we live in”.
Although not specifically asked for, this metallic copper-colored moon/sun seems to add just the right note of mystery
Working on such a relatively small scale carried a few unforeseen challenges, such as how to incorporate the organza cloak. But frankly, no piece would feel complete – or suitably satisfying – without a puzzle or two.
I dyed the organza to suggest the mottled colors of the tree canopy, and folded the fabric into a double layer to provide depth through color variation. The puzzle was figuring out how to embroider leaves so that the reverse, which would likely be visible, wasn’t a mess of knots and crossed threads. Sarah Homfray’s YouTube channel of embroidery tutorials is an amazing resource!
Now that it’s finished, it will soon be on its way to Texas. And in hindsight, I couldn’t have asked for a more positive note than the idea of “sanctuary” to close out 2022, or to prepare for the fresh page of 2023.
Sanctuary ©2022 Elizabeth Fram, Dyed silk with embroidery and foraged branches, 12.5″ x 10.5″ x 9″ Photo credit: Paul Rogers Photography
With that sentiment in mind, I wish you a peaceful new year – bright with the possibilities that lie in creativity. And I’ll look forward to reconnecting with you in a couple of weeks.
Happy New Year!
✷
Following through on the idea of sanctuary – my final suggestion/recommendation for the year:
I’ve had my eye on Jethro Buck’s work for a while. The Albert Einstein quote on his website landing page pretty much says it all: “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”.
That’s gorgeous, Betsy. Sure makes me wish that I’m not knee deep in harsh red, white and blue to end the year.
Thanks Roz – can’t wait to see how your latest materializes (couldn’t help the pun!)
Thanks! I’m anxious to see what materializes, too!
Hi, Betsy, Your latest piece is truly gorgeous! I hope the collector was enormously pleased. xo Jamie
Oh Jamie, that’s very sweet of you – thank you. Yes, she seems very pleased.
Betsy, Your commission piece is delicate, but also sturdy in its protective nature. And speaking of nature, you’ve represented nature so beautifully. I’m sure your client will be very pleased!
Happy and creative and safe 2023 to you!
Marya
This was really a fun one to work on! Thanks for being your ever-supportive self. Happy, healthy New Year!
We do so need sanctuary in this moment, besieged as we are on all sides. And the natural world is, of course, the right place to look. It is very beautiful, Betsy. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Thanks Janet. Yet another reason to be glad we live where we do! I always appreciate hearing from you.
Superbly sublime, nature as shelter. Domicile as sanctuary. Evokes notions of Robert Frost and Ripton. Thanks as ever for sharing and big love to you, Dan, and the generations from DC–where we could sure use some sanctuary! Tim
Lovely to hear from you! Escape DC and come visit. Best to your J’s &, of course, yourself.
What a perfect way to end the year! Absolutely stunning!
A happy and healthy New Year to you and your family!
donna
And best wishes to you and yours for a happy New Year, Donna. Thank you for this lovely comment!
This word has been my go to all this year…finding sanctuary in small moments, pauses and sips of air between the non-stop rise and fall all around. Whether it be coffee/tea with a dear friend, a late night stopover at a long time friends home on the way to care for a loved one, a quiet paddle on the water or walk in the woods with the dog….these have been the spots of sanctuary and oasis that have helped to slowly refill my reservoir when it felt drained. Thank you, as always for reminding me of the beauty in all things and for the peace that can be found in both working thoughtfully/skillfully and with a sense of wonder. Appreciate the beauty of your work and your wisdom…here’s to a new year where we might all find sanctuary in each other.
You are a wise woman – the moment by moment is really what it’s all about, isn’t it? Such a great coincidence that this post closed out 2022 on the very theme that has resonated for you throughout the year. Yes – here’s to finding more of those moments in 2023.