Three Sisters Series
The Three Sisters Series was inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweet Grass. I immediately connected with her storytelling of Potawatomi Nation culture, and of the reverence and spiritual ties to Nature. During the lockdown, I had time to reflect on Kimmerer’s words of reciprocity, gratitude, and gift economy — and, of not taking more than what we need.
I am fortunate enough to be able to savor Nature’s plenty, but I am also keenly aware that I too am a taker and distanced from the Earth upon which I walk. In fact, we have all become takers.
With these thoughts, One of Three Sisters came to life. I began with just pencil and pen lines on paper. Red was then introduced, and to show my conflicting relationship with Nature, plastic netting and torn pages of stock reports were added to create a tree stump that became part of the Sister’s womb.
Yellow and Blue were next to complete the trilogy of primary colors. Teosinte and the Feminine and Braided, followed by Seeded, consist of simple gesture marks representing my gratitude and sorrow for what is here and now, and for our heroic ancestors — the indigenous peoples who planted and harvested corn, squash, and beans — the Three Sisters.
Jill Vaughn