Part 3 of my Fruits of the Spirit series is here! Though I had the vision of untangling yarn from the very beginning of this piece’s conception, I had originally thought I would stitch the yarn through the canvas. I ended up just gluing instead because with the thickness of the yarn I wanted I was concerned about so many large holes ruining the integrity of the canvas and making it sag. I learn something new with each installment!

As mentioned previously, this is my first time doing any spiritual based art really. Though my art is often symbolic and evokes emotion, religiously derived concepts are typically not something I use my art to discuss for apprehension of the messages not being accessible to all viewers. Though it’s not a requirement for art by any means, I prefer when my work is able to resonate differently with each individual viewer and connect with everyone in some way. However, over the last couple of years so many different things kept pointing me in this direction for my first series since over 5 years ago when I showed at ArtPrize. The concepts explored are things that we all deal with, and principles that lead to a healthier mental state no matter what your belief system.

For the idea of “self control”, it was important to me to focus on the mind because that is where it all starts. It’s not about following a list of bad things and good things, it’s not about living this somber existence where you are depriving yourself of anything pleasurable, it is about transformation and mental renewal. It is about wanting to become your truest, most full self and unlocking all of your untapped potential.