The inspiration for this piece came once again from the resin artist whose work had sparked so much of my own creativity. I echoed the shapes from her beads, creating windows in yellow silk, each space meant to be filled with beads. The vibrant yellow was stunning on its own, a bright canvas full of potential.
But when I began to fill the shapes with beads, something changed. The beads overwhelmed the silk, stifling its spirit. I tried again and again, pulling out beads, rearranging, but it never felt right. The piece wasn’t speaking to me, and I realized it was important to let it find its own voice—to allow it to express itself in its purest form.
Rather than forcing it, I chose to honor the remnants of those failed attempts. The beads stayed where they had fallen, an homage to the creative struggles we all face.
Then I decided to bring in real voices—my children’s voices. I asked LZ, Maggie, and Ruth to write down words that told the story of their 2023. Each of them shared their thoughts, their experiences. I traced their handwriting and sewed over their words in black thread, preserving their voices, their stories, and the passage of time.
This piece is not just a reflection of my own journey; it’s a testament to the stories of the ones I love—their voices woven into the fabric of this moment.