Have you ever heard a peacock’s call?
January 30, 2017
Peacock exits after Juno’s refusal. Design by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
In Greco-Roman mythology the Peacock is identified with Juno who created the Peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes symbolize the vault of heaven and the eyes of the stars.
Aesop tells of when Peacock was hanging out with the Roman goddess Juno. He petitioned her to give him the voice of a nightingale to compliment his handsome attire.
Juno refused.
Peacock persisted though: “Of all the birds, I know I am your favorite.”
To this the goddess wisely responded: “Be content with your lot; one cannot be best in everything.”
Pink elephant sighting
January 26, 2017
“Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant the only harmless great thing, the giant of beasts.” Words from John Donne, design by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
Paisley Elephant Notecard and Survivors’ Hub Postcard
A stormy opening of Aïda
January 18, 2017
Aïda (1871) is the love story of an Egyptian military hero named Radames and a captured Ethiopian princess set during the reign of the pharaohs. Aïda was written by composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) and librettist Antonio Ghislanzoni (1824-1893). Design by Meredith Eliassen, 2017. Aida Notecard
Introducing dragged trail bead design…
January 17, 2017
Some flow’rets of Eden ye still inherit, but the trail of the serpent is over them all.” Words by Thomas Moore from Lalla-Rookh (1817). The name Lalla Rookh or Lala-Rukh means “tulip cheeked” and is an endearment frequently used in Persian poetry. Tulip design by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
The dragged trail bead motif is a pattern on glass that is created when a contrasting color is trailed onto a base color in parallel lines then an instrument is used to drag the trail in a perpendicular direction with a combing motion. This is a feather design where the dragging alternates up and down.
Photograph of dragged trail bead.
Art Enables…
January 13, 2017
“Art enables us to find ourselves and loose ourselves at the same time.” Quote by Thomas Merton, butterfly design by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
Magic eye beads of Tibet are called dZi beads, and they are often etched or treated agate revered for their protective qualities.
One of the stories about dZi beads is that they were originally insects that were petrified.
Seaside Entertainments…
January 10, 2017
I saw a boy with dark eyes.
Punch me, Judy! He said.
Naw, I’m gonna punch you! I responded.
Ah oh.
Detail from “Seaside Sampler” original design by Magie Hollingworth for Erhman Tapestry and stitched with adaptations by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
He spelled his name out in the sand: J-O-E-Y.
I sat by his side and we enjoyed ices.
Detail of cool seaside treats.
We watched the shoreline flirt with our feet.
Would he be the first boy to ask me to dance?
Would he grow up to be a writer?
Another rain wave…
January 9, 2017
Detail of a shell from “Seaside Sampler” original design by Magie Hollingworth for Erhman Tapestry and stitched with adaptations by Meredith Eliassen.
A shell winks at me from the sand.
I stoop and pick it up.
I put it to my ear and hear echoes from the sea.
My heart is light.
I continue down the beach enjoying my newfound treasure.
I stop.
I put the shell to my ear again and hear echoes from the sea.
I am comforted by its rhythm.
Some shellfish change their shells like we change houses
I toss the shell back into the sea… surrendering my newfound treasure.
The waves swallow it.
I let go…
My encounter with Daisy
January 6, 2017
Detail from “Seaside Sampler” original design by Magie Hollingworth for Erhman Tapestry and stitched with adaptations by Meredith Eliassen.
How much time do we have before the tide comes in?
I head for the dunes.
I see a shoreline trotter.
She has a sunny friendly face…
And she answers to the name Daisy.
Detail of shoreline trotter named Daisy.
Time passes, and I begin to sing a song as I slow my pace.
A song comes to me.
The wind carried the words away.
Crabby today…
January 5, 2017
The beach empties except for a few seagulls.
A crab flirts with the idea of testing the sand.
He changes his mind.
The surf gently carries him away.
Detail of crab from “Seaside Sampler” original design by Magie Hollingworth for Erhman Tapestry and stitched with adaptations by Meredith Eliassen.
A breeze touches my bare feet, reminding me that I am here in search of treasure.
Which way do I go?
Towards the rocks or to the little lighthouse on the other side of the dunes?
I see a boy who is gazing into the sky.
He lifts a finger to determine the wind’s direction…
He takes off and soon his kite drifts aloft.
The wind is steady… let’s go fly a kite! He says.
Detail of kite from “Seaside Sampler.”
A Stormy Winter Morning…
January 4, 2017
As a child, I collected memories like sea shells that have become part of my psyche… piling into a car with my family, we traveled windy roads to the shoreline.
The tide ebbs slowly.
The seas calm like a child after many tears.
A climb down to the beach…
Seagulls beckon…
Letting go of my mother’s hand to explore…
I carefully edge over the grassy ledge to the soft sand below.
The cloud passes…
The sun is still there.
Detail from “Seaside Sampler” original design by Magie Hollingworth for Erhman Tapestry and stitched with adaptations by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
In the distance, other families, and many children engaged in adventures of their own… I climbed to the highest rock and stand. I see a lighthouse in the distance.
Detail of lighthouse with seagulls in the foreground.
Where to the seagulls hide when storms come?
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