The Spirit Books at the Arnold-Part 4

Spirit Book #98: Lunar Meditation is a previously used cradle (for Spirit Book #79 which now has a new cradle) and a new book. The wood was saved for me by Mike at the Yard Waste Facility after my husband spoke to him and showed him a copy of my Spirit Books catalog.

The book is made from hu'un paper from Mexico. The circles are two layers of stitching with copper metallic thread. They are surrounded by small stitches and tiny glass seed beads. The idea for the empty circle seemed to just arrive but I know it was inspired by a series of posts by Mo Crow (Mo Orkiszewski) from Australia.

Mo and I have a long distance friendship that represents the good side of the internet. We probably wouldn't have had this rich interchange of art and inspiration without it. In 2013 she made a Spirit Book of the Spirit Books which used images and texts of mine along with her work in an exquisite, organic, earthy binding.

It was her last summer's series of posts, Once in a Blue Moon, that planted the circle in my head. I recommend checking out Mo's blog, It's Crow Time for some inspiration of your own from down under.

The Spirit Books are on view at the Hunnewell Building Visitor Center at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University until July 22. Gallery hours are 10 AM-5 PM everyday but Wednesday.