Art + poetry + seasonal torching = new work

It seems at around this time each year I have the impulse to burn paper. It’s usually my old journal entries from the year before, but more recently it’s been pieces of poetry partially charred and then rearranged onto a mixed media piece.

‘Connection’ - 2021

Why? Well, it feels really good. In the case of journal entries it’s watching the words disappear into ash, into the atmosphere, the final release of those thoughts and feelings making space for new thoughts and feelings (hopefully more positive ones, but I do burn those ones too).

In the case of burning poetry, it’s watching my words transform: disappearing, some refusing to budge, some completely blackened by the flame. Then feeling the nudge to stop it in it’s tracks with water and admiring it’s new form.

Sometimes when I look hard enough I see a shape that helps tell the story of the poem written on that piece of paper.

‘A Promise Since Birth Of Calm’ - do you see it?

I’m really in love with this process. My newest pieces ‘A Promise Since Birth Of Calm’ and ‘I Was Washed To The Shore’ were born from a poem I wrote called ‘I Knew You Well’. From there I made natural ink derived from acorn caps and put all the pieces together. A union of two of my favourite things: art and poetry.

‘A Promise Since Birth Of Calm’ and ‘I Was Washed To The Shore’ - 2022

These pieces are a love letter to myself, and because of that I’ve decided they are not for sale.

I will be making more pieces like these in the very near future that will be available to purchase, and will be offering this style as an option for custom pieces as well which includes poetry written by me. In the meantime you can read ‘I Knew You Well’ below and sign up for my newsletter to get notified on new pieces and options for custom work!

I Knew You Well

I learned to walk, to dance,

to sing, to dream

of a world of my own one day,

of a life of my own one day

when I’d grown.

I hopped along each stepping stone

with a promise since birth of calm.

When a storm came

I was washed to the shore

and from there I see you dancing still.

I see you growing still

and though

you never knew me, I knew you well

if only in my mind.

I hope you are happy

I hope life is kind.

You are art!