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Mary Lou Allen - Chinese Dragon
Category: Body Adornment.
The main body of the piece is loom weaving done with Miyuki Delicas. A cinnabar medallion, cinnabar beads, and other black and brass beads are strung up one side and around the neck. The piece was finished without a clasp. The graduated levels of twisted fringe are accented by larger beads.
The Chinese dragon is regarded as a symbol of good fortune, and there are five types known in Chinese mythology. I was especially inspired by the earth dragon, which is the earliest mythological beast symbolizing the earth’s fertility. The rust color and cinnabar beads represent the earth, with the touches of green depicting renewal of the earth each Spring.
Since 1994, when I discovered Beads and Threads by Diane Fitzgerald and Helen Banes, and Those Bad Bad Beads by Virginia Blacklock, my primary artistic focus has been painting with beads, using traditional and experimental loom and off loom techniques. Formal bead training includes classes with Diane Fitzgerald each summer at Sievers School of Fiber Arts, a class this past May with Don Pierce, and several with local beadwork artist Kathy Neinas. My work is available under my Beachstones label at Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Washington Island, WI.
"Chinese Dragon" was recently selected for the juried Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council 77th Annual Exhibition at the Guenzel Gallery at the Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek, WI. It is in my collection - NFS.
Contact info: mlallen.nospam@itol.com