Thursday, March 5, 2015

TO WONDER//TO WANDER//TO BLOOM: Spring Collection 2015



For the past few months, my focus has been on a collection of garments made to honor the archetypes of Artist, Wanderer, and Venus. To me, they each offered insight into different parts of myself. I find myself drawn to the path of each archetype, finding balance in the practice of feeding each aspect of the psyche.


These three figures were born as a theme through a collaboration with Sophia Rose of La Abeja Herbs. As a gift of the new year, we created a collection of talismans, each stuffed with the magic of roots, minerals, leaves, and carefully selected ephemera from Sophia Rose's poetic apothecary. From this initial meditation on the sister archetypes came inspiration for the collection.

 



The Spring Collection- this is the first time I have used this phrase to describe my work. This first true "collection" comes from the hearts and hands of my whole muse family. I have been living back in California since last Summer, and I have been in such awe of the community of my hometown. I am in love with this place and these people, in the way you can only recognize after leaving. This collection was born from that love, which does not belong to me- it is a product of this place. And so these images represent, also, a glimpse at a small piece of this place.


These images were taken by Collin Morrow, whose work captures both the wild thorns and roots and peaceful oasis present in this landscape, and whose spirit creates a forcefield of safety and comfortability while he works. Collin and I trekked around the Russian River, close to my home, searching for a spot to do the shoot. We had a few different ideas for location, but finally scrapped them and ended shooting in his backyard. The fallen camellias and wily ivy vines of this this backyard were made more magical by delicious bright floral garlands which were gifted to us by California Sister.



Traveler, Artist, and Venus were each represented by artists who experienced a personal connection to the archetypes. The Traveler is represented by Quenby Dolgushkin, who explores expectations of femininity through masked performances, flies on a trapeze, and performs political theater with The Imaginists. The Artist is represented by Catherine Sieck, whose work has recently involved intricately sliced paper, expressing inner worlds, connection with nature, and self exploration (Catherine made the golden snakes featured in the shoot). Claire McCaffrey, who is studying women's health, singing her experience, and performing with The Imaginists, embodied Venus. 





Find out more about each garment at serpent-and-bow.com