Keep on loving, keep on living.

Tissue Series

These pieces are made of Japanese mulberry paper and the gilded edges of old books. They are constructed by a technique of rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper called quilling or paper filigree. Quilling was first practiced by Renaissance nuns and monks who are said to have made artistic use of the gilded edges of worn out bibles, and later by 18th century ladies who made artistic use of lots of free time.

It took me 20 years to admit what I wanted and truly didn’t. To say out loud that marriage, being a wife, was never my goal … that being a mother wasn’t ever going to fulfill me, because I don’t feel unfulfilled … that I find joy in travel and career and, frankly, waking up late and reading a book for 3 hours, and not in having children, not even a little bit. 

I have been told I’d definitely want it someday (”When you’re 30!” ha), that I’ll be heartbroken looking back if I miss my chance, that I’ll never meet a man who wants a woman who doesn’t want a family, that I’m selfish.

Fuck that.

It’s not selfish to (finally) be honest. It’s not selfish to prioritize your definition of happiness over raising children you don’t even want. And, once I could say it all out loud, I met a man who wanted, and didn’t want, the same things. 

Migrating geese. House & garden. October 1917. Magazine cover.