Thursday, July 7, 2011

The message in the name

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There's a funny and unexpected story behind the name I work under... Saints & Apostles.
You'd probably smile if I told you it originates from Mary Poppins! There's a song in the movie called "Feed the birds" - a song about a little old bird woman who each day sits on the steps of Saints Paul's cathedral selling bread crumbs for the birds. Part of the lyrics goes like this:

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it,
You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares

I love this idea of some celestrial beings looking down smiling when humans show that they care for something or someone. My special someones are the cats that I rescue on the little Greek island where I live (a place in the world where there's a real need for proper animal care). The proceeds from the sale of my art goes towards their food and medical care (you can read more about their rescues on my blog about animals: God's Little People). The song is said to have made Walt Disney misty-eyed whenever he heard it and he would often request it to be played by his musical composers.

I've also come to attach a special significance to the timeless wisdoms uttered and passed on by saints and apostles (and prophets and sages for that matter) throughout the ages - words that I've come to use in my art. A source of such beauty, depth and inspiration.

This image is of a purse made a few years ago with my beautiful saint avatar. Made with unbleached cotton, lined with dusty pink silk and a whisp of silk chiffon on the zipper pull. Although my artistic and creative style has now moved on I'm still very fond of this little creation.