Tag: Inspired by

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March: Celebrating Small Wins

This month, I’m focused on noticing and celebrating the small wins that often get overlooked. In a world that sometimes measures success by big, public milestones, I’m finding joy in the quieter victories that keep me moving forward.

Completing an unfinished piece of art, mentoring a student through their first creative breakthrough, or building raised beds the prepare for the next growing season—these moments might seem small on their own, but they build toward something much larger. Acknowledging them helps me stay motivated and connected to my goals.

One particularly meaningful experience these past months is seeing how our first residency artists at Sky Garden have settled into the space. Watching someone else find inspiration here, has affirmed my belief in the power of this creative community. And the resulting feedback has been helpful in refining Sky Garden programming and the compound itself

As I work toward the longer-term project, launching the paid residency programming, I’m learning to embrace patience and trust in the process. There’s something grounding about celebrating what’s already been accomplished rather than focusing solely on what’s ahead.

These reflections remind me to pause and appreciate the journey. Progress isn’t always dramatic; often, it’s the steady accumulation of small, meaningful steps.

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27 Little Fountain’s Saman Tree: My Muse

The moment we swooped down the driveway of 27 Little Fountain in Christiansted, St. Croix, and saw the towering tree by the dry riverbed, I knew I had found our home. The house, a clear gut job from the MLS listing, didn’t matter. The tree called to me, welcoming me, and I instantly felt the property’s unique magic. The Saman tree (Samanea saman), with its vast canopy and enduring presence, holds deep meaning in Caribbean folklore. Rooted in Afro-Caribbean, Indigenous, and Creole traditions, it symbolizes spirituality, healing, and community—offering profound inspiration for my art and the eco-artist residency I am developing here.

1. Ancestral Spirits

In Afro-Caribbean spiritual traditions such as Obeah, Santería, and Vodou, the Saman tree is revered as a sacred home for ancestral spirits and a portal to the spiritual realm. Its roots are believed to bridge the living and the dead, making it a site for offerings, libations, and prayers to honor ancestors and seek their guidance. The branches of our tree, adorned with wild dragon fruit and night-blooming cereus, provide natural offerings to bats and birds alike.

2. Healing Properties

The Saman tree is valued in Caribbean folk medicine for its practical and symbolic healing powers. Traditional healers use its bark and leaves to make teas for colds, fever, and diarrhea, while its resin or sap is applied to skin wounds. This connection to health and vitality reflects a holistic view of nature as a source of sustenance and renewal.

3. Shelter and Protection

The tree’s sprawling canopy provides more than just shade—it creates a communal space and symbolizes safety. Beneath its branches, we’ve hosted bush baths, storytelling sessions, and community gatherings. For farmers, the Saman tree is a sign of good fortune, its shade nourishing crops, enriching soil, and sheltering goats, embodying abundance and protection. Its deep roots seek out and signal underground water sources, further enhancing its significance.

A Living Symbol of Life and Connection

The Saman tree is deeply intertwined with the life I am building, blending the physical and spiritual worlds. Its legacy of shelter, healing, and connection to ancestors inspires reflection on the unseen forces that shape our lives, echoing themes central to my new work.

This enduring tree stands as a testament to a reverence for nature and its ability to sustain, protect, and heal—a reminder of the profound stories rooted in this land itself.

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Thank You: To My Unstoppable Network of Creative ChampionsThank You Enablers

Art is never a solo journey. It’s a collaboration—a tapestry of moments, materials, and connections woven together by the generosity and resourcefulness of so many. Today, I want to pause and extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has played a part in keeping my art alive and thriving.

To the tireless hands and watchful eyes that have rescued abandoned shopping carts from dumpsters, gathered marine debris from beaches, and collected bottle caps, pull tabs, bread tabs, and corks—I see you. Your efforts do more than clean the planet; they infuse my art with purpose, grounded in your very essence.

To those who’ve rummaged through estate sales, dug deep into dumpsters, and thoughtfully passed along linens and other treasures—you don’t just fill my art supply bins; you ignite my imagination. Every item you’ve rescued carries a story, a potential waiting to be transformed into something extraordinary.

You are more than contributors; you are co-creators. Each time I knot, weave, or wrap these materials into new forms, I feel your dedication and your belief in the beauty of reinvention. Your efforts remind me that art isn’t just about the final piece—it’s about the community that makes it all possible.

Together, we are giving new life to what was once discarded. We are proving that beauty can emerge from the overlooked and forgotten. Thank you for being the stewards of this vision, for believing in the power of transformation, and for supporting me in ways that are both tangible and deeply meaningful.

Here’s to cleaning the planet, filling my bins, and keeping the creative spark alive. I couldn’t do this without you.

With love and immense gratitude, Theda

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Inspired by Chinese Wax Dye Resist: Exploring a Timeless CraftWax Dye Resist

This video is start to finish spectacular and inspiring.

Art is a living dialogue between cultures, time periods, and materials, often bridging the ancient and the modern. Chinese wax dye resist, also known as làrǎn (蜡染), is a traditional technique that has captivated artists for centuries. Its intricate patterns, deep symbolism, and labor-intensive process reflect the cultural heritage of regions in China where it is still practiced, such as Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces. Today, this ancient craft offers a wellspring of inspiration for contemporary creators.

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Exploring Banana Leaf Mordanting: A Sustainable Dyeing AdventureBanana Leaf Mordant?!

I’ve been diving into the world of natural dyeing, and I’m especially intrigued by banana leaf mordanting. This innovative and eco-friendly method uses the tannins and plant-based compounds in banana leaves to help dyes bind to fibers, creating subtle and earthy color variations. It’s a beautiful way to combine sustainability with creativity, and I can’t wait to try it out for myself!

To make this happen, I’m planning to grow my own banana trees. I’m in the process of choosing the perfect spot in my yard—a sunny area with well-draining soil is ideal since banana trees thrive in warmth and humidity. I also need to make sure the location is sheltered from strong winds to protect their large, delicate leaves and promote healthy growth and fruit production.

This is just the beginning of the journey, and I’ll share more updates as the planting season progresses. I’m looking forward to the day when I can harvest my own banana leaves and experiment with their dyeing magic! Stay tuned.

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DIY Kumihimo Braiding Tool Using Pharmacy Pill Blister Packaging

In our increasingly waste-conscious world, finding creative ways to repurpose everyday items can inspire both art and sustainability. One such project is crafting a Kumihimo braiding tool from something many of us have lying around: empty pharmacy pill blister packaging. This unexpected material makes for a sturdy, flexible, and recyclable tool to create stunning braided cords.

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History of Denim

Blue jeans have a history deeply rooted in slavery, as the fabric used to make them—denim—was originally produced from cotton grown by enslaved people in the American South. Cotton was one of the primary crops cultivated on plantations using forced labor, and the profits from this industry fueled the global textile trade. Additionally, enslaved people often wore durable, rugged fabrics like denim, providing the blueprint for the hard-wearing, utilitarian nature of blue jeans. Thus, while today blue jeans symbolize casual, everyday wear, their origins are intertwined with the exploitation and suffering of enslaved Black laborers.