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R.A. Patton (Hall) - Forever Ago : Under the Willow
Category: Body Adornment.
Stitches used include: circular peyote, flat peyote, spike stitch and surface embellishment.
The body of the bag is woven in peyote stitch which consists of 246 Delica beads
around and 406 rows high. There are exactly 2000 Delica beads that form the bottom
which brings a total of 101,876 Delica beads not including edging & surface texture.
There are 59 shades of Delicas in the main body of the bag. The willow
branches are woven in spike stitch to simulate leaves and give motion.
Antique flower sequins traded from another bead artist adorn the bag as well as
real tiny sea shells. Vintage size 22 seed beads form the surface texture of Mother
Earth’s hair applied 3 at a time, as well as a crystal dove perched on her. I colored and
shaded onto scale graph paper then wrapped around an oatmeal box while I wove the body.
The Myth:
I chose an earthy theme as I do in a lot of my work. Mother Earth or Demeter in
Ancient Greece is an Earth Goddess, specifically the Goddess of the fruitfulness of the land.
She had several consorts, including Zeus and Poseidon. She is the daughter of Kronos and
Rhea and sister of Zeus and Hades.
Pegasus, a long time favorite of mine in Greek mythology is a winged horse
which sprang from the blood of Medusa after her death. Belleraphon caught it with the help of Athena.
He then tamed the horse and it helped him in his battles. Later it carried the thunderbolts of Zeus.
They both stand in front of the river Styx, which in Greek mythology was the
river across which the souls of the dead were ferried by Charon on their journey from the
world of the living to the underworld.
This entry recently took First Place at the Lebanon, Connecticut Country Fair in
the bead work category.
About the Artist
Welcome to my world of Beads! After years of searching for the medium that would take on the life that I needed to express myself, I have found that in my beadwork. Beads can take on a life all their own with unlimited possibilities. Imagination and skill are my tools and with each new piece my imagination grows. Each creation grows. Each one has a part of my soul that is woven into that piece and it hurts when I have to let that piece go to it’s new home. But in order to be heard through my art you have to just hope that it touched that person the way it was meant.
Every one I weave has some special meaning that I try to incorporate such as my Tribute To The Rainforest or Tribute To The Aids Quilt. Things that I feel very strongly about and want to reach others with my wearable Statements.
Beadweaving in any form depends on the needs of the piece. Like when the surface I’m working on is curved I like the way brick-stitch lays. Surface texture is something I almost always use to give it depth, form, movement and above all detail! I like to experiment with all stitches and sometimes come up with my own variations. The point is after all to have fun!
As an artist I love to see and hear the reactions of the people who view my work. As a self-taught beader it is inspiring to see when the meaning of the work touches them the way it was meant to. My only goal is to have my work seen and to know that maybe it touched one person and made them stop and think. When I teach I tell my students to close their eyes and listen to that creative voice, it’s in there, you just have to let it take over. Look at what’s around you for your inspiration, then create that feeling through their medium. Only then is the need for expression through art released.
To me, if I can make people see something that they would not ordinarily notice going on around them, then maybe I can make a difference. And that is the most gratifying!!
My family is very important too, as is my passion for my art. They are very involved in the creative process as well as my inspiration. My beliefs as my beads also are a very large part of me.
My boyfriend and soul mate is my biggest fan and has pushed me to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. He never complains about the time or money I spend on beads, and for that I am very much his biggest fan. We love to travel when we can (he drives while I do beads) and we usually end up at a bead store if one can be found.
My daughter, Heather, also is into beads and loves nothing better than to put in a movie and bead with dear ole mom. My mother and my sisters and all my friends have also been a great source of inspiration to me, and for that I say I am very blessed. Someone asked me once if I was a meticulous organizer or a carefree spirit? To that I reply, I’m a Meticulous Carefree Spirit!