This is a series of work many years in the making. Most of the physical creating of its reflection took place during the early-mid 1980s. At one point in time there were five scale-model sculptures—the one pictured above is the only remaining piece, the others were claimed by a cat and assorted movers. Such is life. A someday dream is to construct life-size sculptures, though by then the original model will likely be much saggier and so old that artistic license will undoubtedly be taken!
When shown in galleries, this series hangs in eight sets of four drawings. The model-sculpture is often present, and at times I add an interactive element with life-sized bricks and paper for releasing/reflecting the viewers' own reactions. One view of Number Seven was used for the dust jacket cover of the book by a friend. If you are interested, contact me for the title.
The images on this page are scans of Xerox copies of the originals. Obviously, the consistency of color/size and rich texture of the drawings is lost in the transfer. However, if you can skip over the lacking perfection, and allow connection to the spirit of the piece, I think you'll find its power.
The images and words on these pages (all under the title "Emergence") are copyrighted and not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, for any purpose without specific and expressed written permission of the author, Blythe Pelham. Please feel free to contact me with any comments you might have concerning this piece.
When shown in galleries, this series hangs in eight sets of four drawings. The model-sculpture is often present, and at times I add an interactive element with life-sized bricks and paper for releasing/reflecting the viewers' own reactions. One view of Number Seven was used for the dust jacket cover of the book by a friend. If you are interested, contact me for the title.
The images on this page are scans of Xerox copies of the originals. Obviously, the consistency of color/size and rich texture of the drawings is lost in the transfer. However, if you can skip over the lacking perfection, and allow connection to the spirit of the piece, I think you'll find its power.
The images and words on these pages (all under the title "Emergence") are copyrighted and not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, for any purpose without specific and expressed written permission of the author, Blythe Pelham. Please feel free to contact me with any comments you might have concerning this piece.
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This work is available bound with blank worksheet pages included. It can be used as a journal for your own personal wandering and growth, or in conjunction with a life coach or counselor.
The image to the left is the cover of this comb-bound workbook. Front and back covers are transparent plastic to help protect it from scuffing. To purchase this work, please visit my store. |
Artist's Note
Many humings have a tendency to label and categorize themselves and others. Whether this is an inborn reaction tied to fight or flight protection or simply a method for our brains to organize data—the impact can have many repercussions.
When we categorize ourselves, we create the opportunity for safety. We also allow for stunted growth through the lack of exploration. If we stick the label on someone else, we may set up expectations which allow for predictable behavior or we may dampen the richness of our experience with that person. If the person is someone who has an intimate place in our lives, we may also quell their growth because of expectations they perceive.
Many times labels grow out of our fears. We are more comfortable knowing and clearly seeing the world around us. Risk and uncertainty are scary. We feel that if we can put everything (including the living) in its rightful place, then we can safely navigate our way through life.
The images and writing in this series grew out of my own discovery of the labeling tendency and its impact on my life. My labels were created by strong family expectations, clear societal acceptance boundaries and a reaction based in my urge to please others.
Throughout my childhood I built my labels into a strong box which felt like a safe haven in the confusing world of a teenager. Once I reached my early twenties however, the box became a sort of confining constraint—a prison. I felt restricted and oppressed. I had constructed a false sense of self with the branding of my youth.
Through a series of circumstances, it became clear to me that I was following a foreign pathway. Though it felt comfortable because of habit, it was very unnatural to who I really am. With a lot of effort and support from loving individuals, I was able to tear down the walls of my confinement. The light inside me found nourishment in the rich air that rushed in, and my confidence swelled in the newly found freedom. While I retain the innate tendency to label, I have also worked to retain the knowledge and enlightenment needed to choose how I direct those tendencies.
I've shared this depiction of my emergence with many people since its creation. It seems to strike a chord of recognition in most. I hope that my ability to precisely portray my own emotional exploration will help others find their way along the journey of life through self-identification and reaction.
When we categorize ourselves, we create the opportunity for safety. We also allow for stunted growth through the lack of exploration. If we stick the label on someone else, we may set up expectations which allow for predictable behavior or we may dampen the richness of our experience with that person. If the person is someone who has an intimate place in our lives, we may also quell their growth because of expectations they perceive.
Many times labels grow out of our fears. We are more comfortable knowing and clearly seeing the world around us. Risk and uncertainty are scary. We feel that if we can put everything (including the living) in its rightful place, then we can safely navigate our way through life.
The images and writing in this series grew out of my own discovery of the labeling tendency and its impact on my life. My labels were created by strong family expectations, clear societal acceptance boundaries and a reaction based in my urge to please others.
Throughout my childhood I built my labels into a strong box which felt like a safe haven in the confusing world of a teenager. Once I reached my early twenties however, the box became a sort of confining constraint—a prison. I felt restricted and oppressed. I had constructed a false sense of self with the branding of my youth.
Through a series of circumstances, it became clear to me that I was following a foreign pathway. Though it felt comfortable because of habit, it was very unnatural to who I really am. With a lot of effort and support from loving individuals, I was able to tear down the walls of my confinement. The light inside me found nourishment in the rich air that rushed in, and my confidence swelled in the newly found freedom. While I retain the innate tendency to label, I have also worked to retain the knowledge and enlightenment needed to choose how I direct those tendencies.
I've shared this depiction of my emergence with many people since its creation. It seems to strike a chord of recognition in most. I hope that my ability to precisely portray my own emotional exploration will help others find their way along the journey of life through self-identification and reaction.
Comments of Viewers
I'm sitting here in tears! Your art and words touched me on so many levels. There are so many of us walking this journey together...it always feels wonderful to look around and *see* another walking along side of me. The words, stories, circumstances, experiences are always a little different...but the same in their essence. I know the box...and I know the breaking free. The emergence part is so painful...at least for me...but oh the beauty once you emerge! The process of living that follows is an amazing thing. Thanks so much for sharing. --Donna T., PA USA
Is there *anyone* this art wouldn't touch? Seriously - it seems to speak to something about the human condition of change and growth that I believe almost everyone has gone through on some level. —Nicki, MI USA, Web Designer, homeschooling mother of 6
Wow! I have seen you as quite a strong woman (secure, self-confident and good-hearted), so suddenly having you exposing your vulnerability was quite an eye-opener — I guess I knew *somewhere* that everybody is vulnerable, but suddenly seeing it is good in many ways. Seeing it transformed into a piece of art is even better! —Ole Andersen, Denmark, longtime friend of the artist
The site is VERY cool. I'd love to see the whole series in three dimensions. The opening page with the sculpture really shows the potential for all the stages. There's too much good art being made and not seen by nearly enough folks. Thanks for sharing yours. It's really an inspiration. —Tiffany Conner, LA USA, Art Instructor/Yoga Instructor
I think all the world should go and look at your creation and growth. It is wonderful. You have captured a path that many have traveled. I showed it to my 14-year-old son, Gaelen. He thinks it should be built and put into a museum. He totally *gets* the imagery. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece with us. —Evelyn Woodward, Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada
This journey was incredible, I am in awe. I found the sculpture so powerful. I so wish I could see the originals. Thank you for sharing. —Lilyana, Business Woman, HOMESCHOOLING mother of two, CA USA
Blythe! It's beautiful! I've had some of that emergence, too - not so much from labels, but just from waiting for someone else to give me permission to live my life. I really identified with your work. It is really inspiring to me to see it, and it gives me more of a yearning to find new avenues of expression for myself. —Sarah who loves swimming, OH USA
The boxes and walls that we build for protection and for safety, can indeed become prison-like. Relationships work the same way... our love, anger, fear, disgust, loathing, worship etc. become the mortar and bricks we use to build our walls. Only when we realize how confining the walls have become do we use our emerging realization of self to break the wall down. It can be hammered down or slowly dissolved away depending on how long our journey to 'self' takes. This depiction, Emergence, makes me glad someone has broken down the walls and makes me realize that I can do it too! Bravissimo! —Pete, Businessman, MI USA
I've been meaning to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your art. It was very powerful and quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. —Beth, NH USA, Mother and Mental Health Therapist
I was profoundly moved by this piece which captures the essence of human life itself. —Peter Rysavy, Hood River, Oregon
I really loved the drawings. They are simple, but so powerful—they flow wonderfully. I can *feel* the emergence; it's as if the art is moving. I really enjoyed seeing this work. It's interesting that, as a writer, I am usually drawn to the words that sometimes accompany paintings or sculptures and I enjoy that as much as the visual art. But, in this case, I think the words detract from the visual. It would be so amazing to see life size sculptures of the piece! —Fran Tarkett, PA USA
When I see your piece of art it reminds me of stepping out side the box, seeing all possibilities, not being tied to how something has always been done. A true sign of creativity, flexibility, and challenge. —Nancy, MI USA, 4-H Coordinator and friend
Picturing myself walking along a path in a park and pausing to think as I came across each image. They seem to capture a woman's journey of self discovery. And like all self discovery, I imagine that each time I walk along that path, I would find a new message in those images. —Patricia Woodruff - Artist - PA mountains, USA
Is there *anyone* this art wouldn't touch? Seriously - it seems to speak to something about the human condition of change and growth that I believe almost everyone has gone through on some level. —Nicki, MI USA, Web Designer, homeschooling mother of 6
Wow! I have seen you as quite a strong woman (secure, self-confident and good-hearted), so suddenly having you exposing your vulnerability was quite an eye-opener — I guess I knew *somewhere* that everybody is vulnerable, but suddenly seeing it is good in many ways. Seeing it transformed into a piece of art is even better! —Ole Andersen, Denmark, longtime friend of the artist
The site is VERY cool. I'd love to see the whole series in three dimensions. The opening page with the sculpture really shows the potential for all the stages. There's too much good art being made and not seen by nearly enough folks. Thanks for sharing yours. It's really an inspiration. —Tiffany Conner, LA USA, Art Instructor/Yoga Instructor
I think all the world should go and look at your creation and growth. It is wonderful. You have captured a path that many have traveled. I showed it to my 14-year-old son, Gaelen. He thinks it should be built and put into a museum. He totally *gets* the imagery. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece with us. —Evelyn Woodward, Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada
This journey was incredible, I am in awe. I found the sculpture so powerful. I so wish I could see the originals. Thank you for sharing. —Lilyana, Business Woman, HOMESCHOOLING mother of two, CA USA
Blythe! It's beautiful! I've had some of that emergence, too - not so much from labels, but just from waiting for someone else to give me permission to live my life. I really identified with your work. It is really inspiring to me to see it, and it gives me more of a yearning to find new avenues of expression for myself. —Sarah who loves swimming, OH USA
The boxes and walls that we build for protection and for safety, can indeed become prison-like. Relationships work the same way... our love, anger, fear, disgust, loathing, worship etc. become the mortar and bricks we use to build our walls. Only when we realize how confining the walls have become do we use our emerging realization of self to break the wall down. It can be hammered down or slowly dissolved away depending on how long our journey to 'self' takes. This depiction, Emergence, makes me glad someone has broken down the walls and makes me realize that I can do it too! Bravissimo! —Pete, Businessman, MI USA
I've been meaning to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your art. It was very powerful and quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. —Beth, NH USA, Mother and Mental Health Therapist
I was profoundly moved by this piece which captures the essence of human life itself. —Peter Rysavy, Hood River, Oregon
I really loved the drawings. They are simple, but so powerful—they flow wonderfully. I can *feel* the emergence; it's as if the art is moving. I really enjoyed seeing this work. It's interesting that, as a writer, I am usually drawn to the words that sometimes accompany paintings or sculptures and I enjoy that as much as the visual art. But, in this case, I think the words detract from the visual. It would be so amazing to see life size sculptures of the piece! —Fran Tarkett, PA USA
When I see your piece of art it reminds me of stepping out side the box, seeing all possibilities, not being tied to how something has always been done. A true sign of creativity, flexibility, and challenge. —Nancy, MI USA, 4-H Coordinator and friend
Picturing myself walking along a path in a park and pausing to think as I came across each image. They seem to capture a woman's journey of self discovery. And like all self discovery, I imagine that each time I walk along that path, I would find a new message in those images. —Patricia Woodruff - Artist - PA mountains, USA
Comments from Family Members
For those who like happy endings (perhaps it's more accurate to say happy beginnings, especially in this case), I'm the lucky one who became Blythe's husband after this particular catharsis and odyssey were complete. The artistic unraveling of the bricks became the foundation for a partnership and marriage and emerging odyssey that is approaching two [now over three] decades. A certain fascination with bricks continues to evolve: you are left to draw your own conclusions when you learn that the contemporary Blythe purchases amazing quantities of bricks at auctions and then leaves them neatly stacked in the garage and in various locales throughout the yard. I am a true believer that bricks can be the ideal purveyor of mystery. —Stephen Bush, OH USA, loving husband
I was honored to share space with this series during a mother/daughter show in Seattle. I own the only remaining sculpture model—which Blythe stole back from me after giving it to me ::smiling::. I’m very proud of my daughter’s ability to express herself visually, in written form, and in her verbal repartee. —Carol Hosford, Seattle USA, mother
Blythe’s steady evolution to a complex, dynamic and thoughtful person has been a fascinating thing to watch. It's not common that the child causes the parent to rethink many old ideas and thus to grow also. Blythe's artistic credentials are a marvelous addition to the mix. How fortunate her three children. How much fun to watch. —Lindley Hosford, now deceased, father
I was honored to share space with this series during a mother/daughter show in Seattle. I own the only remaining sculpture model—which Blythe stole back from me after giving it to me ::smiling::. I’m very proud of my daughter’s ability to express herself visually, in written form, and in her verbal repartee. —Carol Hosford, Seattle USA, mother
Blythe’s steady evolution to a complex, dynamic and thoughtful person has been a fascinating thing to watch. It's not common that the child causes the parent to rethink many old ideas and thus to grow also. Blythe's artistic credentials are a marvelous addition to the mix. How fortunate her three children. How much fun to watch. —Lindley Hosford, now deceased, father