Pachamama Collection

As some of you know, my new collection of art blankets - Pachamama is out in the world. Many of you have connected with them and already own one. I am honored for the trust and support.

The process of bringing them in the world has been full of wonder, joy, frustration, humbleness and constant lessons of surrendering to the greater unknown (will follow with a second part to dive into the creative process.)

For myself, creating something is often times not an option, but a necessity that springs from an acute need to express myself (Pieces with rising sign in Gemini, Moon in Cancer.)

While the creative process is a personal journey, unique to any individual, I would like to share my own process here.

Making blankets has been on my mind for the longest time. But why blankets? And why now?

During the pandemic, it became clear to me that we don’t need more “things” that support consumerism in this world. What we need is to look inward. We need more conscious connection and truthfulness to ourselves, more honesty and courage, so that we can bring our authentic self in the world.

The question is - how do we do that, especially during times when we are deprived of our basic needs for human connection, surrounded by so much pain, fear and uncertainty.

To me, the answer has always been the same - by going inwards.

Tapping into the vast world within ourselves can be terrifying. Oftentimes, we just want to grab on to the next stimuli that makes us forget about the uncomfortable feelings. The pandemic put a stop on most of our distractions and forced us to look within.

The question arising is - how do we navigate the inner world of feelings when there is no map? How do we do it when most of us grew up around adults who did not know how to handle their own feelings? How can we trust that our feelings are valid, when society constantly places labels of “good” or “bad” on everything, so that we can become functional human beings, while so numbed on the inside?

The answer is still the same - by going inwards. By sitting with the uncomfortable feeling. By not running away. By feeling the joy, the pain, the sorrow, in trust that it won’t kill you. By being honest with yourself and what you really feel, allowing it all to come to surface. Here’s a little poem on feelings

While simplistic in words, it is the most difficult thing to do - to face ALL that you are. In fear of what you’ll discover, that you won’t fit in, that you will not be loved anymore, that you will lose your close ones and be alone.

These are all valid fears.

From my experience, there is no shortcut and no way of becoming strong in your core unless you begin to accept all of your facets. It’s tough to make friends with the shadows, with all the parts of yourself that you don’t like. The ugly ways that got you in trouble and even hurt the ones you love. All of those sides are integral parts of yourself, waiting for a drop of kindness from yourself to be seen, heard, not judged, so that they can released.

While the problem seems complex , I found that the key to bring more ease and see the light at the end of the tunnel is to understand that - it’s always the awareness that heals. You don’t have to be an expert or DO something. A few steps that help are to -

1. Allow your feelings to come to the surface of your awareness.

2. Look at them without judgement, without placing the good or bad labels on them.

3. (Optional but very helpful) locate them in your physical body as sensations, and feel them without judging them as good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant.

(Have you ever had a friend who could truly listen to you without trying to give you an advice, without placing judgement on anything you said? Do you remember how healing that was? Like something lifted off your chest. Well, it was the awareness of being seen that created the healing. You were held in awareness, without being judged. Your feelings want the same thing from you - to be seen and not judged.)

Having been through this process many times (and knowing that I will continue it for a lifetime) I asked myself: How can I use my skills to create something that helps people on their inner journey? What could one (including myself) use to create a personal space, in which to feel held, safe and embraced?

My answer was - A BLANKET

I want to be there with you in this process of going inwards and honoring who you are. I want to be the awareness, the hand that holds you and says - you got this! A reminder that you are not alone. You are always loved. You are always carried. The inner work that you do is very important.

I am here when you are ready.

See the collection here