In The House of Joy and Sorrow
Inspired by the writing of Macrina Wiederkehr,
In The House of Joy and Sorrow
"speaks to the idea that joy and sorrow are the two sides of life,
that we know each side more deeply because of the other.
The shrine contains the images of both tears and sparks of joy,
and in the center lies the one heart that lives in both sides ...
often at the same moment."
"At some level I have always turned to art making
as a form of healing and even prayer.
I see my dolls both as companions and containers
that can safely hold feelings that I may be working through.
Many times I have given dolls
as gifts to friends or loved ones who may be walking through a difficult season.
Creating my dolls brings me to a place where my soul can rest.
It is my hope that the dolls I make now
will touch others as they have touched me as I made them."
tina forster
it is my jOy to introduce tina forster.
In The House of Joy and Sorrow
is Tina's exquisite gift for the upcoming
jOy
through
giving
in every stitch.
I love this sweet little lady. Beautiful work.
Posted by: Georgene Lockwood | May 18, 2011 at 09:36 PM
The center
is joy and sorrow
for us all.
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | May 19, 2011 at 04:08 AM
such a lovely piece worked with JOYful, generous, loving hands
Posted by: deb taylor | May 19, 2011 at 04:51 AM
this is beautiful, both in image and word...
Posted by: Leslie | May 19, 2011 at 05:33 AM
This theme of joy and sorrow, joy and pain, ying and yang, is one I also read on Dawn's site today. It must be an important message; I know it is. What lovely dolls; I never thought of a doll as something that was a container that could safely hold feelings. I like this very much. Peace and love, Olivia
Posted by: Olivia | May 19, 2011 at 07:19 AM
What a soulful and thought provoking piece! It's wonderful to have Tina join in the art auction this year.
Posted by: Dawn Elliott | May 19, 2011 at 07:26 AM
This is so very true....though it's sometimes hard to tuck that sorrow into the space of joy.
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | May 19, 2011 at 08:19 AM
This is exquisite -- easy to tell it was made with love in every stitch. Her work and your goodness bring me joy!
Posted by: Meri @ Meri's Musings | May 19, 2011 at 09:00 AM
This doll is comforting just to look at...it must be magic to hold!
Posted by: Kathleen | May 19, 2011 at 02:33 PM
This doll and her words are exquisite. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | May 19, 2011 at 05:43 PM
I love the purposefulness in this creation. It will bring comfort and joy to whomever chooses to adopt it into their home. The work you are doing here Rebecca is so Worthy.
Posted by: Kim andersen | May 19, 2011 at 09:18 PM
I am deeply moved by this doll. It has a sacredness about it, almost an archetypal quality. I had a friend some years ago who did work in South Africa with AIDS orphans and also with the children of Sierra Leone. She and the women in the cooperative there made dolls for the children to hold. For many of them, it made all the difference and was indeed a container to hold feelings. Tina's work is outstanding and evokes with clarity that art is truly a healing medium for the creator and the receiver.
Noelle
Posted by: noelle | May 19, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Gorgeous doll. Such amazing work!
Posted by: Maria | May 19, 2011 at 11:27 PM