The images you see are handwoven saris which were my original inpiration for pattern.  At this point I'd like to talk for a minute about themes in this peice and how I hope to relate them to pattern. Obviously the scene is a wedding, and in case you haven't gotten the idea by now I like bright shiny things so this will probably come out looking like the happy joyous occasion it should be. Beyond that is the NOT RELIGIOUS but sacred nature of the occasion; so much for weddings in general. Why is it a wedding?  well, when I first started thinking about it the figures appeared at a wedding reception in the pose of admiring the brides ring; this was an attempt to show the witnessing of this commitment by people who witness the little dramas of your life, by people who's opinion has value. The idea of standing witness to the lives of your family, however you define it, is very important to me. I couldn't find a design I liked so I changed it to the bride walking down the aisle extending her (ringed) finger to the viewer with her witness seeing from her point of view. This wedding is a symbolic one only (witness the ring is on the wrong hand); it was the most potent symbol I could find for the idea of moving forward with acceptance. By this I mean that you accept that things will not always be well or happy and that you choose to embrace another to share that journey at all costs. The important things about this particular wedding and these three individuals isn't as easy to convey but it's far more important to me themematicaly. I want to say that they are modern, unconventional, and iconoclastic ( I hate spelling). I think the choice of setting and dress will say that. Further I want to talk about the charachter of these women. The three models are friends all of whom basically raised themselves in very rough circumstances. They have the aura of being fearless because they have learned that there is no choice but to face the challenges you are given. For these women, who have been betrayed at every turn, being willing to take this step takes determination and a certain amount of defiance of past events; having a witness that understands you means they value this moment as much as you do. I see I need to do some more clarification here.....

I worry that the gentlemen are going to find this peice a bit intimidating. Given the commitment issues generaly in evidence being confronted w ith a six foot bride who appears to be reaching for you may be unsettling! That's not the intention and I must figure out how to avoid it. This peice is meant to be about the commitment aspect of marrige but not in an intimidating way; joyfully boys, joyfully. To be able to say "with this person I can be unafraid to be exactly who I am, we will work together to overcome obstacles that seem overwhelming alone, I can trust this person with everything I have to hide to protect myself" that should be a joyfull thing. Too often it is not, through haste and lonliness are many bad marriges made. What was I talking about again?? oh wait the ring!! it's made of garnet, and pearl, and asian gold (remind me to scan the design in tomorrow!!)

RING THINGS

Given thier life experience this commitment goes beyond  simple vow; it's an affirmation of faith. You'll notice that the central figure appears to be stepping out of the canvas (an effect that will be much increased in the tecniqe!) , her hand complete with wedding ring is supposed to be extending toward the viewer (darn foreshortening!) as well; this is meant to convey a sense of moving forward quite literaly. My challenge at this point is to use pattern and ornamentation to convey the temperment and life experience of these women...hmmmm.....stay tuned! I tried making a list of words that define these women and came up with delicate, tough, caring, demanding, fearfull, hopefull....The pattern I see here is contradictions..which presents the further challenge of finding a design that encompasses contradiction but still allows the three figures to be in harmony (representing the strong bond of friendship.

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