I wanted to say a personal thank you for sharing this story. The way in which you interweave the capacity of art and individual lives is beautiful. And I, for my own reasons, have a particular attachment to crochet - an art form that really helped my mum when she was going through some pretty dark times. I've always felt an affinity for it (not that I've ever done it myself).
Your article has helped me to understand someone I really love in a different light. A wonderful story, and bubbling with hope amidst all of the other stuff. Sincerely, thank you. Only just found this Substack but looking forward to more.
Thank you for sharing that Tom. I am so glad that it helped you connect yo your mum in a new way. Do you have your own hands-on activity that's not crochet? As shared in the article, my father passed a year ago, and he was a woodworker/ wood artist which was his version of my crochet. The crafts are different but we connected a lot around the use of them through tough times.
Honestly, it's probably my writing. I still see myself becoming some kind of physical, or musical, "craftsman" someday, but as far as cratswork goes, it's my hands and the keyboard. Accidental but seemingly the cards I've been dealt. Loving your work. Looking forward to the next post :)
This past semester I needed to do a presentation on an artist for a class and instead of sharing someone famous, I was moved to share Marinke's work and story, which inspired me to start sharing it again here this year. It really was the most powerful project I've ever done.
This project is such a beautiful tribute to your friend and, I think by extension, to anyone who has struggled in a similar way. I'm so sorry for your losses, and glad that you have this thread between them.
Thank you for sharing this, Kathryn. What an extraordinary project and tribute you curated-created here. The mandalas are so beautiful. You've inspired me to have a go. (I knit but I've never tried crochet.) 🌀
Wow, what a project! Thank you for sharing this Kathryn! I would have participated in that fantastic collective crochet art tribute had I known you then. I have made so many crochet mandalas and each one holds a special place in my heart. I look at them and know exactly what was going on in my life then. Each yarn over was like me saying "I can get through life, I can get through life, just keep moving forward." Mandalas are how I crafted my way back from a dark period too. XO
I'm sorry for your losses, but so glad you found a creative way to heal and help others heal. Such a wonderful project, thank you for sharing its story!
Thank you for sharing your story with us and honouring Marinke. 💕
Thank you for making space to read the story. <3
So much beauty here amidst the grief.
Amazing how both things can coexist isn't it?
Hey Kathryn!
I wanted to say a personal thank you for sharing this story. The way in which you interweave the capacity of art and individual lives is beautiful. And I, for my own reasons, have a particular attachment to crochet - an art form that really helped my mum when she was going through some pretty dark times. I've always felt an affinity for it (not that I've ever done it myself).
Your article has helped me to understand someone I really love in a different light. A wonderful story, and bubbling with hope amidst all of the other stuff. Sincerely, thank you. Only just found this Substack but looking forward to more.
- Tom :)
Thank you for sharing that Tom. I am so glad that it helped you connect yo your mum in a new way. Do you have your own hands-on activity that's not crochet? As shared in the article, my father passed a year ago, and he was a woodworker/ wood artist which was his version of my crochet. The crafts are different but we connected a lot around the use of them through tough times.
Honestly, it's probably my writing. I still see myself becoming some kind of physical, or musical, "craftsman" someday, but as far as cratswork goes, it's my hands and the keyboard. Accidental but seemingly the cards I've been dealt. Loving your work. Looking forward to the next post :)
Writing is my favored art but crochet helps me when there aren’t good words :)
Wow this project and story soothed my heart. What a special way to honor someone who you admired <3
This past semester I needed to do a presentation on an artist for a class and instead of sharing someone famous, I was moved to share Marinke's work and story, which inspired me to start sharing it again here this year. It really was the most powerful project I've ever done.
This project is such a beautiful tribute to your friend and, I think by extension, to anyone who has struggled in a similar way. I'm so sorry for your losses, and glad that you have this thread between them.
Thank you for sharing this, Kathryn. What an extraordinary project and tribute you curated-created here. The mandalas are so beautiful. You've inspired me to have a go. (I knit but I've never tried crochet.) 🌀
Wow, what a project! Thank you for sharing this Kathryn! I would have participated in that fantastic collective crochet art tribute had I known you then. I have made so many crochet mandalas and each one holds a special place in my heart. I look at them and know exactly what was going on in my life then. Each yarn over was like me saying "I can get through life, I can get through life, just keep moving forward." Mandalas are how I crafted my way back from a dark period too. XO
Thank you so much for sharing that memory. I have definitely stitched mantras of survival with each yarn over. <3
I'm sorry for your losses, but so glad you found a creative way to heal and help others heal. Such a wonderful project, thank you for sharing its story!
Thank you for checking it out. We all experience loss and grief and it helps a lot to have a creative community to process it with!