Lenka's Way of LaceYear of the Wood Dragon
Posted on February 10, 2024
February 10, 2024
Living and working in a truly multicultural place (Metro Vancouver, Canada) we are lucky to learn and experience traditions that people from all around the world brought with them to their adoptive country. Chinese New Year celebration is one such example, a joyous and vibrant tradition that survived millennia of turbulent evolution. Based on a lunisolar calendar, a complex system combining earthly and universal events, the ancient Chinese visionaries attributed certain qualities to each year and predicted their influence on people at many levels, from spiritual to material.
Yesterday’s New Moon ushered in the Year of the Wood Dragon.
* The Dragon is a majestic creature in Chinese folklore, symbolizing bravery, creativity and innovation. Dragon people (those who were born in a Year of Dragon) are charismatic, ambitious, adventurous and fearless. They have confidence and independence, and are not afraid to pursue their dreams.
Therefore, the Year of the Dragon in 2024 is expected to be a time of visionary leaders and problem solvers. It is also predicted to be a great year to start new projects and explore new opportunities.
In the Year of the Wood Dragon 2024, the fixed element of the Dragon is Earth, which represents stability, honesty and loyalty. The variable element is Yang Wood, which represents growth, vision and flexibility.
The rare combination of the dragon’s power and the wood’s creativity brings a potential to pursue one’s dreams, express ideas and expand horizons. It is also a year to be generous, compassionate and inspired.*
What more can we wish for?
I like the sky roaming dragons so much that I even made one in lace. Envisioned as a wild wearable piece, it took a life of its own and eventually found a place in my friends’ eclectic art collection. After they had it properly mounted by a master framer, I was really surprised how the Dragon came alive in the custom setting. And pleased to know that it did not fly too far away from me!
Thank you, Lulu and BP, I remain grateful for your patronage 🙂
I look forward to a full year of creative energy and can’t wait to see what the Wood Dragon brings to the world, and to art of lace in particular!
*Source: https://www.thechinesezodiac.org/year-of-the-dragon/
Offering: West Coast Mandala
Posted on November 14, 2017
Frame:
Cedar driftwood (designed and made by Colin Hamilton of Thuja Wood Art)
Lace:
Enamelled copper and stainless steel wires
Semi-precious stone cabochons and beads (from centre):
Nephrite (BC jade), Almandine Garnet, Shell, Rose Quartz, Bamboo Coral, Rhodochrosite, Clear Quartz Crystal, Calcite, Blue Tiger’s Eye, Shell, Hematite
Technique: handmade bobbin lace – free form
Dimensions in centimetres: 64 x 61 x 12 ( 4 cm without stands)
Dimensions in inches: 25 x 24 x 5 (2 inches without stands)
West Coast Mandala is an Offering to the magnificent Pacific Northwest nature.
In harsh climate of the temperate rainforest, human life has never been easy. Ancient people called upon spirit powers to receive guidance and protection. They were taught to live in harmony with the land and the ocean, and respect all plants and animals. This wise, timeless teaching still resonates on the West Coast.
The Offering: West Coast Mandala is presented in a frame made from red cedar driftwood, which carries the spirit of the tree of life, and creates a sacred space for reflection and meditation. In its centre, the mandala holds a cabochon of the B.C. jade, and radiates the energy outwards through the copper wire weave. Inner sacred geometry circle with semi-precious stones, coral and shell beads, represents the earth’s depths. Surrounding three currents symbolize underground, surface and ocean water bodies. Water brings fertility and abundance to the soil and to people, and they present offerings of flowers and fish. Fertile land is encircled by a protective range of the coastal mountains, which merge into the mist of the sky dome. From above, water motion, vegetation growth and people’s lives are governed by the moon cycle. All is connected and therefore in harmony with the timeless wisdom.
This artwork is now exhibited in Talisman Gallery on Pender Island, BC.
Copyright©2018. Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Lenka's Way of Lace 