What I Have Been Doing Recently

Esther's Homecoming, Encrusted Bead Work





Twilight Reverie, Encrusted Bead Work






The Eyes of God, Encrusted Beadwork



I am now officially on Sabbatical for Professional Development from my teaching position. After 12 years, I finally applied for a Sabbatical to pursue my special interests and get a break from the classroom. Today, instead of going to work for the first day of school, I am working here in my studio. It's WONDERFUL, I assure you! I began my Sabbatical Project in June, by visiting museums and special exhibits in Austria and Germany.





What am I doing, you ask? My project is the study of the work of Hildegard of Bingen, 12th Century writer, artist, composer, nun, evangelist, and much more. She lived and worked in the Rhine area of Germany. That is such a beautiful part of Germany, in the grape growing and wine making area.





You gotta look into Hildegard - I tell you she is one woman to celebrate. Are you aware that in the 12th Century, a woman was not permitted write? That is because writing was for men only. She had to have special permission from the Pope to write otherwise we would not have her work today to read. And, Hildegard was the first female preacher who took evangelistic tours to preach the gospel. She did FOUR of them, in fact. But, for me, it is her ART WORK that I am most interested in doing research on - she had visions and she made pictures of the images from her visions. I am wild about the Middle Ages iconography, and the use of the MANDORLA as an image for holy purposes. I will be using the Mandorla as a motif in upcoming work.





Along with my study on Hildegard, I am working in my studio on a series of fiber/bead works that will be in response to 12th century sensibilities.





I am posting photos of the first three bead works that I have completed in this series. There are lots more to follow. Some will be using imagery directly from Hildegard's paintings. These pieces I have just completed look like they are directly taken out of a museum of art showcase of work from the 12th Century.





If you have any information you could share with me in this project, I am most grateful to hear from you. I have only just begun to learn and I am greedy for more insight. Information and comments are most welcome. Thanks.