Posted by Hello loves
Imagine you are stepping into a warmly lit art gallery conveniently located just a few moments from your home. The first thing you notice is the calmness that enfolds you, then the gentle chatter and laughter from women who are moving slowly around the room, taking in and reflecting upon the art hanging and standing in the space. You also notice the plants and flowers that are dotted about the room, placed as if they are part of the exhibition, adding their own natural, colourful beauty to the experience. A smiling woman beckons you over and explains that the gallery is showcasing a few new artists today, one of whom is just beginning a talk about her first collection of textile artworks…
I want to start by saying that I’m extra proud of this collection. As those of you who know me will be aware, life has been tricky and over the last month or so I have continued to work, despite an attempt to evict me and my kids from our home (not by my ex I would like to make clear). I want to send love to all of you and especially to anyone who has found themselves in a vulnerable position after a breakup, separation or divorce. I feel you. I have struggled with anxiety, but the defiance I have grown recently, has fuelled me, bringing me back to my creative purpose, into my body and my heart. The image I have in my mind is this one…
The bird is defiance. She flies above and beyond the fray despite it all. She flies free and with joy. She brings with her love, hope and beauty and she symbolizes a heart broken but still open to love. She is me. When I think about my healing heart, I experience that familiar feeling called yearning. Yearning is one of the bittersweet emotions, like nostalgia. There is something painful and exciting about it. It is sorrowful and hopeful all at the same time. In the words of Steve Winwood…
Worlds are turning and we’re just hanging on
Facing our fear and standing out there alone
A yearning, and it’s real to me
There must be someone who’s feeling for me
Bring me a Higher Love, 1986
Of course, there are people who feel for and with me, that I am lucky to call my family and friends, who check up, fill me up and offer up love and support. I am so grateful. And also, I have me. And yes also, I am hopeful that I might find romantic love again someday. Someone needs to start a dating site for creatives who might prefer to write a poem, paint a picture or appliqué a textile artwork to express themselves, rather than listing hobbies and qualifications!
Bring me a Higher Love, large textile artworks 2 and 3 of 16, £166.50 each
Bring me a Higher Love, my first textile art collection, channels defiance, strength, joy and love. It is about breaking out of survival mode into life. It is about taking up space and growing into our power. It is about shaking off the internalised external voices, believing that we are who we need and that we are ok. It is about choosing love and being love, a higher love! We can carry around a metaphorical heart on stalk, for ourselves and others, we really can. And I bet you already do.
Bring me a Higher Love, large textile artworks, 4 and 5 of 16, £166.50 each
I have created 16 artworks in this collection*, 6 large square pieces (above), 4 long…
and 6 small square…
Bring me a Higher Love, small textile artworks, 11-16 of 16, £62
*I had some appliqué shapes left over so I made four more! The latter make up a mini bonus collection called, ‘I love you more’…
Each piece is made using preloved, vintage textiles, remnants and some hand printed fabrics. I have created shapes, such as birds and rainbows, some of which are patchworked, which I have then appliquéd on to a background made from either linen or organic cotton, which has been quilted onto 100% bamboo wadding. I have then added embroidered stalk and leaf details. And of course there are hearts, whether appliquéd or embroidered.
I have signed each artwork in embroidery…
And each piece is backed with fabric from a vintage curtain and includes fabric corners and a bamboo rod for hanging, so once received it can go straight onto a wall to enjoy…
I have poured many hours, love and skill into this collection and I really hope you like it. You can purchase items from the collection here.
Now I bet you’ve got that song in your head eh? All the heart eyes for this tune! I defy you to listen to it and not sing and/or dance.
Thank you so much.
Love and warmth always,
Lu xxxx
Lucylu dreams... 