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This piece grew out of a hike at a nearby trail.  I set out one early morning with my daughter to enjoy our "mountain" and to connect with nature.  As we headed out on the trail I looked down and saw this root in the trail.  I knew that I had to create art with it so I picked it up, left a gift in return and carried it with me throughout the entire hike.    

The next day was a group day at the teen center where I work.  We were working on the idea of recovery and what it felt like, looked like, etc. in our lives.  I was using a technique called "object art", in which you choose an object as a symbol of, in this case, your recovery.  Once you select the object, you begin to create around it.  You can use paint, fabric, collage, whatever moves you.

I was really clear that this root was a critical symbol of my recovery.  A word here on recovery...I am using this word very broadly.  It is my belief that we are all in and out of recovery all the time.  It doesn't mean that all of us use and abuse a substance but it does mean that we all move in and out of our balanced and complete states and any time we are attempting to return to our original state we are in the process of recovery.  So it is with this definition in mind that I began this project.

What I learned is profound.  It was the classic roots and wings conversation.  In order to fly, I must be rooted in truth, the earth, who I am, my principles and then and only then can I fly, like Prometheus, close to the sun. 

I love this piece.  It is simple but is filled with motion and truth and hope and is a reminder of what I need to remember to return to my original state.


 


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