My Heart is My Home, Handmade paper (cotton, daylily, kozo), natural dyes (chicory, copper oxide, Douglas fir bark, cochineal), acrylic by Danielle Myers!
Dimensions: 27" x 14"
"My Heart is My Home traces my journey as an artist based on proximity and connection. Each heart represents a time and a place that impacted my identity as an artist. Moving left to right: Buffalo NY, Louisville KY, Portland OR, and Oaxaca MX.
My journey began as a papermaker and letterpress printer in Buffalo, NY. As an owner and operator of Petrichorpaper from 2011 to 2018, I ran a small-scale handmade paper mill out of my home. In 2018, I made the difficult decision to close my business and sell my mill. Shortly after, I found myself relocating to Louisville, KY, for my then-partner's job.
During my brief time in Louisville, I was introduced to Revelry. I loved the eclectic artwork and could not resist applying for the seasonal position when it was announced. Our time together was short and sweet, however, incredibly impactful. It was a reminder that although I was not actively producing art, I could tell my time as an artist was far from over.
My identity as an artist cannot exist without the people and the places I have encountered along the way. Indelible memories that have shaped my heart, weaving the texture that I call home. Every person and every place is a communal ceremony.
My materials are based in intentionality, down to the bookbinder's thread that holds the piece. The handmade paper hearts (my foundation) are made of cotton rag & daylily (the first fibers I ever worked with). Each heart/location is represented by a natural dye tied to each place. Buffalo = chicory, Louisville = copper oxide (Rev blue!), Portland = Douglas fir, and Oaxaca = cochinilla (cochineal). The threads begin and end with sequential dyes based on time and place. As I am resettled in the Buffalo area, my journey brought me back to where I began. Kismet? Without a doubt."
-- Danielle Myers