The Tree of Life
I had heard of the Shakers before but never really looked into the story of their history. They originated from the English Quakers and Methodists and founded the movement in 1774 in Maine, North America. Their maxim in life was: Hands to work, Hearts to God. As both men and women practiced extreme celibacy, they have all but died out.
Their ‘Tree of Life’ appealed to me, depicting a very austere, simplistic and no frills craft work. I used a Seed cloth for my background fabric, then with the batting behind, I cross-hatched a few lines using a variegated thread. I couldn’t resist putting a few beads between the tacked lines of the background, deviating from the Shaker lack of ostentatious embellishment. Using cut-off quilt edging fabric I created the fruit with buttonhole stitching around the edges. The leaves are from Felt attached with a simple stem stitch. Trying not to distract from the whole, I made a pale coloured, narrow edge around the piece.
All in all, an interesting challenge for me as I’m inclined to prefer a more ‘textured’ or 3-D effect for our group pieces.
Allison
Using a tree in a minimalistic way is an interesting take on the Shaker movement .Good thought
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the tree amongst the Shaker pictures, I was immediately 'drawn' to it. The tree was very basic and minimalistic, almost child-like in their interpretation.
DeleteTesting computer to see if I can publish my comment. Allison
DeleteWhen I saw the Shaker Tree, I immediately liked it and knew that I wanted to create it as my piece. The simplicity of it was almost childlike and pure.
DeleteThis has been such an interesting topic for me as the learning never stops. Here, now, your piece has taught me even more about the Shakers. I have a tree of life necklace and I would never have thought there was a connection to Shakers but it seems that it has become an icon to represent the Shakers (Wikipedia). I think you have done their tree proud and might even get a nod of approval for the beads from the Shakers if they hadn't all but died out!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amanda. As I stated, I just couldn't resist a bit of 'texture' on my piece with the beads.
DeleteGreat take on the challenge. The clean lines and simplicity have been captured perfectly. I agree with Amanda that the beads may even have been given the nod.
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult for me not adding more embroidery, ribbons, beads, etc,etc! I had to hold myself back there.
DeleteI live the simplicity of this, and it feels very elegant. I had no idea this symbol was associated with the Shakers, especially as a tree often is used to trace family lines, and with the Shakers celibacy they had no family continuity.
ReplyDeleteYes, certainly no families to continue 'the line' - quite sad really, but there is a Museum where we can visit and see how they lived and worked.
DeleteYou learn something every day. I, too, hadn't realised the Shakers had adopted the Tree of Life as a symbol. I love the simplicity of your interpretation - no frills but hand-worked - I'm sure they would approve. Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you Hilary. I was very worried, after posting my piece, that it wasn't architectural at all!
DeleteI love the strength of the tree against the, almost, minimal background.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've heard of Seed cloth Alison, could you explain please?
Perhaps Seed cloth is a South African manufactured cloth - it's been around for a long time! Now-a-days it's quite difficult to find in our shops. The texture is slightly rough because of the little cotton seeds woven into it, here and there, but not as coarse as a linen fabric. Thank you for asking.
DeleteWell done on finding the Tree of Life and simplifying it so well. As Hilary stated you learn something new every day. Well done on an interesting part of Shaker life and your design and work are really great.
ReplyDeleteI first chose some of their Red work to replicate but it was all embroidery and would have taken a long time to do, as it was the 4 Seasons, in 4 squares. Might be adventurous one day...... At the moment 'The Tree' hangs above our bed, in our Bed-sitter.
DeleteThe surrounding edges make the tree more outstanding and eye-catching. The beads may not fit the theme, but I do like it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Momoko. I intended to have the border a bit wider but I've got used to the narrow one now. Sometimes 'the piece' takes on a mind of it's own, as writers tell about their own created characters!
DeleteGreat with a Tree of Life included, very much a shaker design, as I had asked for. You made it your own by including the beads and technically they used wood from trees for most things....... houses, furniture etc. Lovely colours too.
ReplyDeleteJust a reminder: Today's nuns and monks are also celibate, although they might not always have been so, but the various orders still lives on. ;0)