Grow, Bloom, Thrive
When I started working on this mosaic, I wanted it to be similar to the one I made and sold quite a few years ago entitled "Grow, Bloom, Fly" (shown below).
For some reason, as I started drawing and designing this mosaic, a bird or two just didn't want to go in there anywhere. Instead, the sun was on the opposite side of the original and clouds with a brooch of an angel sitting on a crescent moon holding a sapphire stone, the birthstone of the person this was going to (and mine as well) wanted to be placed where birds would have gone had I chosen them.
There was a good possibility this one would come out a little differently. And that is how it should be since my art is handmade.
As I watched movies, the cutting, gluing, placing of glass, mirror and ball chain commenced.
It was clear that I was enjoying this experience very much and I've already decided I'm going to make one or two more when the muse is ready. Along with more mandalas, I think we'll be busy for a while.
Once it was ready for grout, I knew it had to have a name but wasn't sure what it should be. Grow, Bloom, Thrive. Perfect! I first stumbled upon these words through Facebook a while back while searching for something completely unrelated (isn't that always the way?!).
It is the name of a farm and children's nature center in MA. Something about it spoke to me, especially when I saw this poem on their website:
"Here we are, in this place,
Standing, breathing, finding space.
Roots below. Sky above,
All as one in light and love."
Standing, breathing, finding space.
Roots below. Sky above,
All as one in light and love."
On the website ( https://www.growbloomandthrive.com/ ), it says: "it takes a village" which made me think of all of us here today. Each helping in some small or large way, contributing to one another's health and well being. Giving time, love and patience as each of us grow, bloom and thrive.
This mosaic was made using ball chain and broken necklaces, a funky ceramic tile, glass gems, glass circles, hand cut mirror, stained glass and a broken brooch. I added the words I printed, colored in with blue alcohol ink using watered down glue to adhere (similar to Mod Podge). My signature, a peace sign, was added to the bottom right.
I'd like to thank all involved with this organization at: https://www.growbloomandthrive.com/ for giving me so much inspiration in creating this mosaic for a very special person. Those interested, click on the link and go visit.
Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics
