News for tonight: the marotte is finished at last, and I’m composing again.
I finished the marotte itself two nights ago by tying the silk scarves under its collar. Outside of determining how to maintain the shape of the mouth, this was the hardest thing. I wanted to have a floaty, billowy feeling…but it needed to be something that could be removed in case the marotte or scarves ever needed to be cleaned; either would require very gentle care, and silk and calico require very different care to begin with. That meant it had to be something the recipient could reattach easily…finally I realized it was simple. I tied the largest scarf around and tucked the smaller ones into the largest one. (I determined the traffic cone-orange scarf, difficult as it was to track down in the first place, was just too obnoxiously bright to be included after all.) Last night I produced a story card for it since the recipient will no doubt need some help understanding what this unusual thing is that I’m giving him.
The result of this painstaking ten-month project is one with which I’m well pleased. My fledgling effort in sacred toymaking produced a very unique piece of folk art; it definitely looks rough-hewn but I like that effect. Look at that face – I fully imagine the little Fool proudly announcing from his mouthful of monarchs, “my mama was a voodoo doll – ha ha!!!”
I love how he seems to be tossing his head back laughing. I didn’t plan that at all; it just came along the way.
You can also see some interesting facets of the marotte from the back view. Unlike the classic Fool’s hat with three points, this marotte has a five-pointed hat and a five-pointed collar. There’s one point for each of the five elements – water (blue waves), fire (suns), earth (forest), air (butterflies), and spirit (light gold). Each point also has a charm on it – included are a magen david for my friend’s Jewish heritage, a heart of gold which is self-explanatory, a yogi for contemplation, a sun for joy, and a cross…he’s let the Son-light in for me many times, though he himself is not Christian. You can also see a glimpse of the dragon fabric I used for the handle…it’s subtle, but I think the Wise Fool’s companion needs to embrace his shadow somehow. After all, the shadow is not bad…simply hidden.
It was, all told, a very satisfying and interesting project and I hope my friend sees this as the lighthearted, prayerful gesture that God placed it in my heart to begin last winter.
Meanwhile tonight I started a new composition. They all go painfully slowly these days, but this one particularly so; I’m writing a song for piano because that’s what’s coming to me, but it’s very hard to get on paper because I don’t play piano myself. If I can finish it at all I plan to give a copy to a friend who’s a keyboard player, if for no other reason than in the hope of hearing it played on the piano as it’s intended. Nice to be writing again. Plus I’m starting to put ProTools on my PC. I’m doing it very slowly one step at a time to avoid becoming confused or overwhelmed; computer stuff can do that to me…but it’s on its way!
