HEART HOME #3

HEART HOME #3. Pastel Digital Art Collage. Kaitha Het Heru. Home Series. Limited Edition Fine Art Prints. The Master Peace Collection. A Woman’s Work: My Art & My Textiles

“GOT A LITTLE PIECE OF SOMETHING.”

Home. Shelter. House. Apartment. Co-op. Condo. Brownstone. Cabin. Tent. Car. Subway. Under Bridge. Cardboard Box. On the Street. Foundation. Basic Necessity.

“Got a little piece of something.”

“When nature gets a mind to it, she’ll take it away.”

“After six months, still no power.”

Hurricane. Fire. Wind. Rain, Flood. Hail. Snowstorms. Eviction. Foreclosure. Volcano. Deportation. War.

Reflecting, I continue to create the Home Series, a long-term project.

What does HOME mean to you?

SUMMER TIME: NEW YORK CITY STREET VENDORS

SUMMER TIME; NEW YOK CITY STREET VENDORS. Kaitha Het Heru. Pochade. Quick Sketch. Colored Pencils. Markers. Fine Art Print. The Master Peace Collection. A Woman's Work: My Art & My Textiles.

"MOMMIE! MOMMIE!"  The Siren with her seductive voice was calling me before I rounded the corner.

Dressed in her colorful, traditional, african dress, the Enchantress, so named by me, seller of delicious cool drinks, was situated at her usual street corner spot in my neighborhood.

"MOMMIE! HERE! I GOT GINGER AND SORREL DRINK JUST FOR YOU...."

Just for me was right. OMG!!! The Ginger drink always the perfect balance of ginger and sugar, spicy and sweet.  Sweet enough to rattle your teeth right down to the roots. Chilled to the exact temperature. Now, how do you suppose she keeps those drinks cold?

I drink her Ginger drink during hot summer days, and cold, blustery, snowy winter days. Yep, the Enchantress is out there at her usual spot in the winter.  There, just for me.

The Sorrel drink, a lovely intense, deep-red color is a painter and dyer-of-textiles delight.

Sorrel is a sour-juiced plant. Prepared correctly, meaning with the right amount of sugar and "ting", it is the exact blend of sweet and sour.

For me, it's a--"I can't wait to get home, take off my sneakers, curl up with my IPAD, and do pochade, quick sketches, of the days' sights and feeling-tones of my neighborhood," --kinda of thing.

By the way, the herbs, Ginger and Sorrel, have nutritional properties, err, um, hmm, without the sugar, that is.

A life-long NYC dweller, do you know what I find attractive about New York City neighborhoods during the summer time? Come to think of it, the street vendors are out there in the fall and winter.  It is the enthusiastic street vendors enticing you. The Sirens luring you to sample their wares with their seductive chants.

"MOMMIE! MOMMIE! HERE! I GOT GINGER AND SORREL DRINK JUST FOR YOU! MOMMIE!"

I am delighted to oblige them.

What is it about your city or town that inspires you to get to writing, drawing, singing in the shower, or just plan old humming and being grateful."

"GIRRRLLL, DON'T YOU KNOW PURPLE AND RED DON'T G0"

"PURPLE AND RED DON'T GO." (c) Kaitha Het Heru. 

Sitting at my desk surrounded by piles of yarn, looms, fabric, colorful magic markers; yet. feeling blocked, uninspired, once again.

Several weeks ago, I was hearing the words to a song, long-playing in my head:  "smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don't tell the truth...smiling faces..."  At the time, I didn't remember who sang the song, nor did I recall all the words. Why is this song going round in my head now?  Is My Muse, the Source-eress Het Heru, sending me a message?  I'd better turn inward, listen, dig deep, find out what's really clogging my creative juices.

Several old memories rising to the surface....Let me set the space for you way back when....

A long, long time ago, I was invited to a party.  My parents said I could go.  Unchaperoned!  This was surely a !!WOW!! moment for me.  The party was around the corner.  I would meet my best friend.  We would go together. 

Excited, I went shopping with my allowance money. Purchased a pair of purple pants with a flowing, kimono-styled, you guessed it, purple vest, similar to the unconstructed, relaxed styles popular today.  I selected a beautiful red scarf to drape around my neck.  I had enough money left over to purchase a pair of some real cool shoes. Red.

Dressed: hair, red lips, nails done.  I checked myself out in the mirror.  Five Stars, I gave myself.  Blew my royal self a kiss in the mirror, said goodbye to my folks, and off I went to meet my BFF so we could walk into the party together.

"GIRRRRRLLLL!!!  DON'T YOU KNOW PURPLE AND RED DON'T GO!!!"

I heard her very loud voice before I saw her standing there on the corner.

I'm thinking: "I just know she isn't talking to me." She was laughing at me as I approached her.

I'm thinking: "What the ....!!!  My BFF, a Dream Catcher! What she mean, "Don't You Know Purple and Red Don't Go?"

I was then, still am, a lover of color, texture, and Impressionism.  In those days, before the Internet and Google, I often visited the library. Some of my favorite books were mysteries, and art books.  The art books had to have plenty of pictures.  Fond of impressionist painting, the artist Claude Monet (1840 - 1925) was at the top of my book list.  I especially admired his colorful painting, Water Lilies 1916. (By the way, I was finally able to see up-close-nose-inches-away--an exhibition of Claude Monet's paintings which included the Water Lilies painting in a New York Chelsea Art Gallery.  However. I digress. That's another story).

So, my mind is going-a-mile-a-minute, I'm thinking: 'Miss Know It All needs to see and shout her 'Don't You Know Purple and Red Don't Go' line/lie to color fields of Purple Hyacinth, Salvia, Lavender, glowing alongside the Red Rose, Scarlet Poppy, Red Begonia and Lavender, all adorned in beautiful variegated Royal Purples and Reds

I'm asking myself, "What does she know about color? Really?  Ignore her ignorance! Leave it, all of it, alone.  Besides, what was my end game? The Party.  I was going, dressed in my Royal Color Field of Purple and Red.

Did I go to the party? You bet! Did I enjoy myself? Not initially.  First, had to shake off the frequency of the Dream Catcher's low-rating energy.  Did she remain my BFF? What do you think?

Let me set the space for you now.

"Don't You Know Purple and Red Don't Go?!!!" Out of the mouth of babes.  We were both young.  She didn't know any better.  Nevertheless, that's what Dream Catchers do.  Young or old.  Intentional or not.  They will steal your joy, suck your life force dry, if you let them.  Self-awareness is essential.  "Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend." They catch your dreams and weave them into their insecure net of jealousy and self-loathing, then frisbee them back to you.  Unknowingly, we catch them.  Believing in them, it becomes your way of thinking.

"Girrrill, Don't You Know Purple and Red Don't Go!" That was it! The Dream Catcher's discouraging words had implanted itself into my subconscious many years ago, and those "discouraging words" periodically raise their ugly heads like weeds in a color field to log-jam my creative juices.

My Muse finally captured my attention by the repetitive words to that song, "Smiling Faces" by The Temptations.  This digging deep helped me uncover the "discouraging words" shouted at me by my BFF years ago.  It ain't easy, digging deep; turning inward.  Well worth it, though.

My creative juices are flowing. I am now working on a new series on my IPad's Pastel App which I have named "Purple and Red Don't Go."  The above abstract impressionist Mind-Scape Pastel is the first in the series.

What do you do when you're feeling a-which-a-ways? Who or what inspires you?  Feel free to leave a comment on my blog  Let me know what you think.   

Master Peace. Simply Divine.              

 

SOURCE-ERESS NotePad

The Birth Tree Family Moon-Bathing. 4X4-1/2 Inches. Hand Woven, tapestry and relief techniques. 100% wool, some hand spun,
button.  Mounted on Canvas.
$125.00 + S/H

Artistic Inspiration...Inspired by The Beauty of Nature...Birch Trees

Artistic Inspiration: Inspired by The Beauty of Nature...Birch

 

THE BIRCH TREE

FAMILY

Moon-Bathing #1

Birch trees are one of my favorite trees. Ruled by the planet Venus, they symbolize renewal and protection.  Did you know that the oil from Birch bark is used for treating skin conditions, and as an insect repellant?

Birch trees inform you of their presence by the colors of their silvery-white bark.  When I can get close to a Birch tree, I enjoy stroking their smooth-rough bark.

I almost missed seeing the Birch tree family while out for a walk because they were behind a fence.

"Hey, we're over here." I heard the rustling of their leaves.

Happy to see the Birch trees, I wanted to go hug them but the fence stopped me.  Do you hug trees?

I got as close as I could, sent them lots of love, and asked them if I could take their picture.  Birch nodded their graceful delicate foliage in assent.

After taking pictures, I thanked the Birch family. Remembering their magical properties, I thought for a just a moment, and decided to ask them for advice on a matter I had been contemplating for some time.

"Beloved Birch," I inquired, "can you help me with my situation?"

Silence.

As Wind breezed through their leaves, I heard Birch whisper, "We can assist you.  Banish your fears. Build your courage.  Make a good start and whatever you are undertaking will end well."

The above photographs are my inspiration for the small handwoven, mixed media tapestry, "The Birch Tree Family Moon-Bathing."

Thank you, Birch Family.

THE CARDINAL IN THE HOLLY

 Celebrating the Last Days of Summer...
Expressions in Fiber,
Inspired by The Beauty of Nature.

The Cardinal In The Holly
Project 365 HK Series, #1
Hand Knotted Cut Pile Textile Painting
 

"I totally agree with Virginia Woolf that the loveliest sight in the world is sunlight on leaves." ---Louise Williams
                                                                                                                

PROJECT 365HK: 365 Hand Knots.
ABOUT MY PROCESS

I use 3 or 4-ply pre-cut yarns, a loosely spun singles yarn, thick or if thin, doubled, in addition to fabric. I also cut yarn into the desired length.

Yarns selected for a cut pile textile should bloom when the knots are made, filling in the spaces in the canvas to create a velvet-like surface. I love that in my knotted cut pile textiles you are not looking at the sides of the yarns as in hand woven textiles but into the cut edges.  The finished cut pile yarn is darker and more intense in color. 

I use 100% Wool and Acrylic yarns, and occasionally cut and add colorful fabric as an additional element to the knotted cut pile textile paintings. The canvas provides a solid base for the knots. 

I may work freehand, knotting the cut yarn on the canvas. Or, I map out my design in my graph composition journal using colored pencils, markers, or crayons.

My designs determine the number of knots. The canvas determines the spacing of knots per inch.

I often work in a series where my themes are seeded, take root, grow, and expand.

IMPRESSIONS.  INSPIRATION.  EXPRESSION.

My inspiration is derived from the impressions or remembrance of images in nature: rock formations, flowers, water; the sights, sounds and smells of life.  I am aware of the healing power of colors which infuse the textiles. 

My MUSE, NTRT HET HERU, the SOURCES-ERESS, whispers. Or, if I'm not minding my business...shouts...look...over there!  See! Do This! How about this color?  Use this technique!

At times, when I begin working on a piece, nothing...something, the color, the design is not flowing...something is not ripe/right just yet.  I put it aside and let it percolate on "the backburner" in my mind's eye.

For the Knotted Cut Pile Series, 365 Hand Knots, PROJECT 365HK, the tools and lots of yarns in my stash are readily available. 

I thought: how do I translate the impressions of what I am seeing during my walks, into a knotted cut pile textile? How many knots would complete a small textile. I decided on 365 knots. 

Why only 365 knots for this project?  It's about Time, plus nimble fingers. To hand knot onto canvas takes time. Each knot a reminder to capture the moments of the passing days in the year. Time passes by us so quickly...the illusion of time...the choices we have in each day to slow down, to show up in our lives.  It's about making our every day beautiful, our every day sacred.   

Why use yarn? I love the feel of yarn, the vibrant colors. I think of yarn as paints. The cut pile knots as brush strokes. The textile as a tactile painting you can touch. An interactive meditation piece. You can feel the image. It is a counterpoint to the Museums you visit. "Do Not Touch" signs placed near the art on display.

The Cardinal and The Holly is a reminder to expect magical happenings every day. The Cardinal was such a delight to see.  A beautiful bird, it appeared out of the blue.     

THE CARDINAL IN THE HOLLY

"Light is a thing that cannot be reproduced,
but must be represented by something else--by color."
 --Paul Cezanne

Sunlight. Shade. Green. Yellow. Red.
Sitting quietly.  Camera ready.  
Watching the rhythmic 2-step
Dance of The Sunlight and Leaves.
A Lover's Dance.
Sunlight. Green. Yellow. 
Shade. Green. Yellow. Sunlight.
Now, Yellow. Now, Green. Sunlight. Shade.
I blinked.
A flash of Red caught my eye.
Cardinal had joined The Dance.
Sunlight. Shade. Greeen. Yellow. Red.
Red. Shade. Sunlight. Green. Yellow

SOURCE-ERESS NOTEPAD

SOURCE-ERESS TRUTH SHARER: LOVE IS THE LAW. SHE POT Clay Sculpture. (c) Kaitha Het Heru. Fimo Clay. Oven Fired. 10". 100% Hand Spun Wool Hair.  Bead Adornments.  In private Collection..

SOURCE-ERESS TRUTH SHARER:

SOURCE-ERESS TRUTH SHARER holds a rattle in Her left hand announcing HER Presence, and with it SHE clears the environment of inharmonious energies.  SHE bears witness to humankind's ignorance of the Laws of Life. 

SOURCE-ERESS TRUTH SHARER disseminates the ancient Khamit (pre-Egypt) Divine Feminine Law of Maat em Het Heru. Love Is The Law; Joy Is Love, to all who have ears to hear. (Maat: Truth, Balance, Harmony, Justice). (Het Heru: Joy, Divine Love, Sacred Beauty, Wealth,, Nurturance). 

SOURCE-ERESS TRUTH SHARER is your Artistic Inspiration for the Month of August.

SHE POT CLAY SCULPTURES are created to honor The SOURCE-ERESS, the Divine Feminine in all HER aspects. Known by many names, in the Afrakan Khamit (pre-Egypt) history, the SOURCE-ERESS was also named Ntrt Het Heru.  It was SHE who radiated Divine Love, Sacred Beauty, Wealth, Abundance, Peace, Joy, Harmony and Nurturance.  

One-of-a-kind, or in a limited series. SHE POTS are made from kiln-fired earthenware clay, slab-built, wheel thrown and/or altered.  Several of the SHE POTS are fashioned from Fimo Clay and oven-fired.

SHE POTS are sculpted into female forms, in two or more pieces, representing ancient Goddesses, and "every woman." They are glazed, painted and adorned with natural elements.  A selection of the SHE POTS are decorated with forks as arms or hands, representing the nurturing aspect of The Goddess.

The head of the SHE POT is removable.  The body of the SHE POT is symbolic of The Goddess' womb of creation.  

SHE POTS are functional, and decorative.  They can be used as a container to hold treasured personal items, crystals, prayers, or affirmations to aid you in womb-nifesting your dreams. Or, create sacred space by placing the SHE Pot in your home.

SHOP COLLECTIONS: Kaitha Het Heru Online Fine Art Print Gift Shop:
Photographs of The SHE Pot Clay Sculpture Series #1 are available as Note Cards and Greeting Cards, plus Phone Cases. Available for Purchase.

The original SOURCE-ERESS TRUTH-SHARER SHE Pot Clay Sculpture is in private collection. 

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