The Honoring
(Click on any picture for a larger view)
American Bison skull, Apache Tears, black coral, wood, Hemalyke and glass seed beads.
Approx. size, without stand – 21″w x 12 1/2″d x 27″t (can be wall hung)
Approx size with stand – 21″w x 20″d x 63 1/2″t (freestanding metal stand, approx. 45 lbs)
I dreamt about this sculpture six months before I started her. She was with me in my dreams more times than not as I chose her color palette and design. And the most lovely part of those dreams were the people that stood with me to honor her. Represented on her beautiful face are four women of my family; my mother Anita, myself, my daughter Jessica and her daughter Jazmine. We are a strong and fiercely close family of women. Our roles with one another have a beautiful ebb and flow like beading. We represent to each other whatever is needed at the moment – parent, child, friend, sibling… sometimes all in the same afternoon. But mostly there is a feeling of respect for each other as individuals, and respect for each other’s life paths. That female love and respect were always present while I worked on this bison.
Look closely… beaded in red seed beads are mine and my granddaughter Jazmine’s handprints cradling this beautiful bison’s skull. The red seed beads continue to dot here and there as though it is the common thread that connects us all. Surrounding my handprint are beaded crazy quilt patterns honoring my mother Anita, an artist in her own right. Anita also gathered and polished the trail of Apache Tears that stream down the center of the skull at an angle. Cradling Jasmine’s handprint are the light and dancing lines that represent my daughter Jessica as she explores the wonderful freedom and possibilities of being a woman.
The Honoring is is my honor - it honors the magnificent creature that once was and it honors the love that I have for these special women in my life…
From the Artist’s personal collection
