Artist Statement

"A Metaphor is a laying over of the qualities of one thing onto another. Metaphor is a way of thought before it is a way with words." ~ James Geary

Mixed Media: Disparate elements coming together to coalesce into a unified whole. The journey of found objects re-imagined into new life.

I have been working with textiles for well over 40 years. I became a professional textile designer in 2003 and collaborated with a fashion designer for 15 years. I have taught many textiles related workshops for Weavers and Fiber Arts Guilds across the US, Hawaii, and Canada since 2010. Shibori, (The Japanese art of creating pattern on cloth) and Indigo Dyeing are one of my specialties.

During the Covid lockdown in 2020, and the shortage of PPE, (personal protective equipment), I quickly realized that what we really needed was PSP (Personal Spirit Protection). Thus, the inspiration for a new body of work was born, with the intention of using what I have in new and unusual ways.

I am an intuitive creator and collector of found objects. My work starts with a compelling desire to play with certain materials, (sticks and paper for example) without knowing what the result might be. Over the years, I have learned to pay attention to these "compelling desires" for they have invariably led me down the most amazing creative paths.

The idea of Personal Spirit Protection has expanded over the last 5 years to include: Wall Amulets and Talismans, The Vision Keepers, Spirit Energy Sticks, and Cloth Shawls...all energetically imbued with Love and Beauty, to Protect, Calm, and Elevate the Mind, Body, and Spirit into a Higher Vibration.

Contact Information

Melissa Arnold
201 Daly Avenue, Hamilton, MT 59840, United States
P.O. Box 357, VICTOR, MT 59875, United States
(530) 401-2261
matatsu09@gmail.com
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