Dream Map: Meet the Artists - Kimberly Mascaro
As our Dream Map Project* unfolds, I will be featuring artists taking part in this collaborative piece of art. Today, we hear from Kimberly Mascaro. As an artist, psychologist and dream-worker, Kim bridges the inner and outer worlds through creative practices and expressions. She was taught the age-old practices of embroidery and cross-stitch (her first art) by the many female elders of her Italian-American family. As an adult she went on to earn university-level degrees in fine art as well as psychology, while always holding those women of the past and the teachings they imparted, close to her heart, who continue to visit in her dreams.
Kimberly's embroidered dream is called "Keep the Fire Going," and here is what she says about it:
Re-membering our interconnectedness with the Earth's elements is a process. Through everyday activity, but more so through dreaming, I re-establish these relationships. In this dream, I walk a path under the night sky, then recognize the sacredness of what lies ahead. As I get closer, I see an earthen platform - a fire altar. My dream body approaches... standing at the foot of the sacred fire. As an offering, I feed pieces of Snake to the fire, and proclaim aloud how "I will keep the fire going!"
Interview with Kim:
How did you come to textile work, and what is the meaning of textile art in your life?
I was taught my very first art, that's the tradition of embroidery and cross-stitch, by the women-elders of my Italian-American family. A couple of decades later, after earning a university degree in fine art, the textile art-making of my youth still continues to inspire me today. It allows me to connect with my ancestors and remember all they taught me while they were alive.
Can you share the significance of the dream map for you? Do you have a dreamwork practice (i.e. writing a dream journal)? What impact have dreams had in your creative journey?
Most of my art is dream-inspired which comes naturally for an artist who has a dreamwork practice. I track my dream through regular journaling. The deceased loved ones who taught me textile work appear in many of my dreams. The dream map is significant in that while we dream as individuals, we also dream collectively. Bringing our dreams together reflects the bigger story being told.
What is your creative method (intuitive, planned, responsive? etc)
My creative moments are rarely planned, rather I experience intuitive creativity which is sometimes a response to my nocturnal dreams. As I move through each day, I never know when a creative spark will arise. When it happens, I hold space for that energy. If I can't create in that very moment, I will make a few notes and sketches to pull me in closer—that's until I get to my art supplies with ample time to dive in deeper, allowing that creative force to express.
What is the importance of nature for you?
Nature is most important. Everything is nature. We are nature. Like nature, creativity blooms and withers (and blooms again). Creativity can be densely rooted, or move like strong wind. Nature is alive, and we can dream with her. There, we find a never-ending source of creative inspiration.Can you share the best advice you've ever received?The very best? That's hard to say. I have been very blessed to receive so much wonderful advice over the years. Some of the advice that I have recently taken to heart is to "Show up. Lean in. Do your best."Where to find Kim:Website https://consciouschimera.com/Instagram @conscious_chimera
*About the Dream Map Project: with artist Sofie Dieu, we are mapping dreams worldwide using embroidery, appliqué, stitching...
It might be a recent dream or a dream received in your childhood. Perhaps it was so powerful that it still lingers in you. As active dreamers, Sofie and I invite you to share it in an embroidery work. The world needs to dream again!
GUIDELINES:
Each artist creates a 30cm x 30cm textile work that depicts a significant dream they have received.
We will assemble the selected artworks to form a dream map. This map will then be exhibited in Scotland and Melbourne, Australia.
More details on Instagram @dream_and_stitch_project
Enjoy our other Dream Map artists features:
Dream Map artist feature: Adriana G. Prat
Dream Map artist feature: Homani Ahava
Dream Map artist feature: Molly Anand
Creating textile stories through life’s challenges