Sometimes fiber art is for art's sake: the joy of creating with color and texture. Sometimes, though, we imbue our artwork with meaning: memory quilts to honor a loved one's passing, journal quilts that recall special—and ordinary—days, story quilts that tell the world how you feel about an issue.
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Prayer flag for my
friend Barb. |
I have made several memory quilts over the years. But the tale of the prayer flag I made about a year ago for my Sisters in Cloth friend, Barb, who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, is more uplifting.
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| Prayer flag detail. |
I wanted this flag to reflect Barb, who demonstrated strength, positive energy, and thankfulness that her diagnosis was swift, her tumor was tiny and contained, and that her treatment would be bearable. Her resilience in the face of adversity has been admirable, and a lesson to all around her.
Don't we all have Sisters, though, who have been diagnosed with this terrible disease? My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, best friend, blood sister, and many others in my near-and-dear circle have all battled breast cancer. And at some point, haven't we all wished we could do something about it?
I was reminded of this particular prayer flag when I got a sneak peek of the September/October 2012 issue of our sister publication, Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.
Not only is this issue packed with fantastic examples of assemblage made from lightbulbs, found objects, and even store-bought vintage-esque items, the magazine is also supporting, remembering, and celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
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Artists Give Back artwork by (clockwise from top
left): Grace Mahoney, Kim Henkel, Paula Guhin,
and Nikki Smith. |
In this very special issue, the Cloth Paper Scissors team is helping to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® (NBCF). More than 30 artists—2012 contributors to Cloth Paper Scissors and Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazines along with instructors from our 2012 CREATE Art Retreats—have donated works of art to help the cause.
Beginning later this month, you can join the fight against breast cancer by purchasing one of these original works of art from Cloth Paper Scissors's special Etsy store "Artists Give Back" at etsy.com/shop/CPSmagazine.
To learn more about this collaboration (and mixed-media art techniques), be sure to get this special issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. Now would be a perfect time to subscribe!
By the way, my friend Barb is doing fine. A sure sign, to me, that prayer flags work.
P.S. How have you used fiber art to support or memorialize a loved one? Leave your comment below, and include a link to an image of the artwork, if you have one.