Yesterday I took six orders for earthenware faces from my Etsy shop to the Post Office. They were going out to six different states – Washington, Kansas, Maryland, Illinois, New York, and Texas. As always, I wondered how the faces would be used and whether they would inspire the people who ordered them.
Every so often, I get an answer to that question from someone whose work really lifts my spirit. I wanted to share this one with you.
Brita Rekve
Hi Lyn,
I’ve been thinking about you and how your faces have prompted an whole new direction for me in my work. I have enjoyed the ride and hope it continues. It seems I started with stick figures that came with stories then there was a slight morphing into heads on a stick, very nature based and now I’m creating what I refer to as blanket people…I am so in the groove when this is happening it’s a holy experience. ~~ Brita
Brita sent some pictures with her note, pictures showing wonderful textures and colors:
Brita Rekve
Brita Rekve
I asked her if she would send the Blanket People story that accompanies her soft-sculpture. Here it is:
Blanket People
She lived with sheep and would sit for hours in the field watching them. Named them after cowboys and mountain men. Doc and Wyatt, two of her favorites came to her for chin rubs and endearments and she marveled at the way the sunlight caught in their eyes and offered a glimpse of something ancient. She wove blankets from their fleece. It was such a comfort to bring the blanket to her nose and breath in the spun sunshine and sweet grass, feel the softness of the wool, the gentleness of the animal. Wrapping herself up she felt safe and protected as if all her grandmothers had circled round. She yearned to give this very same feeling to anyone with a sad and weary heart or the suffering of broken dreams. A wrap in the offering of the animals, a circle of grandmother arms, the comfort and peace of safety and love.
The Blanket People story makes me feel all warm and comforted, even more so when she added:
There is a backstory I will share with you. Prior to the plague I was teaching process painting in my studio. That’s what the studio was set up for. When we needed to shut down in the spring I started playing with sticks and fiber. It was around the time of a granddaughters high school graduation and I thought I’d make her a Spirit doll to hang on her wall. One thing led to another. Someone told me about your faces. My studio is a birthing room. I’m blissed out on the people who come to me, some with stories, some without. They come alive and I feel them… This is a spiritual walk.
PS – Doc and Wyatt moved on to the great pasture in the sky. I’ll always miss them.
Brita is from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and if you’d like to know more about her
Blanket People you can contact at Facebook her under her own name,
Brita Rekve, or email her at
fourwingsstudio@gmail.com.
There are some amazing connections going on – right after Brita wrote, I heard from another artist, Barbie Koncher, who lives in Hawaii and does beautiful work using non-traditional methods and indigenous materials. I’ll write about Barbie next.
Stay warm, stay connected, and take good care.
♥Lyn
Lovely!!!
Karen, I thought of you when I saw her work!
Lyn, Thank you for sharing this story. Brita’s work & story are lovely & a bright spot on this grey morning. Your faces have soul & it is wonderful that they come to life in so many varied ways around the world. I miss you & your kind & generous heart. Send ing blessings & love for safety & health. May we all see a peaceful & creative new year.
Connie, what a beautiful note – thank you! I look forward to seeing you in person soon. Take good care ❤️
I love Britta’s story. It brought tears to my eyes. The sweet connection to the earth and the animals . The comfort they bring and the connection to the love of grandmothers who have passed reaching out to envelope her in love. The story brings me peace in uncertain times. Lyn your wonderful faces are perfect for Britt’s blanket people. Thank you both for sharing this story.
Thank you, Maureen – it still amazes me at the stories people find in these faces. ♥Lyn
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