This textile artwork is a celebration of our shared home, Earth, and a reminder of our deep connection to one another. Created from layers of fabric, texture, and stitched detail, the piece depicts a radiant feminine figure—Mother Earth herself—holding our planet tenderly in her hands. Her form is composed of blossoms, leaves, and vibrant color, symbolizing life, growth, and the interwoven beauty of nature.
Butterflies flutter outward from her, carrying messages of hope, transformation, and freedom. Each detail—from the lush red flowers forming her gown, to the green of her hands and face, to the cascade of color in her hair—invites the viewer to reflect on harmony, compassion, and the possibility of peace.
This piece speaks to the wounds of our world, scarred by conflict and division, yet reminds us that the earth itself makes room for all of us. Through art, I hope to offer a vision of healing—one where people and all living beings coexist in balance.
May there be peace upon this earth, within each heart, and in the space we all share.
The Process
After sketching out the concept for Mother Earth – May There Be Peace, I began by looking for the right starting point. I chose a personal photo of myself in my wedding dress, which carried both beauty and symbolism. The dress represented love, new beginnings, and a sense of sacredness—all of which felt fitting for a portrait of Mother Earth.
Using the photo as inspiration, I created a loose outline of the figure, simplifying and reshaping it so that it could transform into something new. Instead of recreating the full photograph, I focused on the silhouette and posture, keeping only the elements that would help tell this larger story.
From there, the real adventure began: selecting fabrics, building layers, and slowly bringing the vision to life through color and texture. The face and hands were designed with green tones to reflect the living earth, while the hair became a garden of blossoms in shades of purple, pink, and red. Her gown emerged from a cascade of flowers, blending into butterflies that seemed to take flight, carrying energy outward into the world.
The globe was placed carefully into her hands, grounding the portrait and giving her role a clear focus: to hold and nurture our planet. Stitching details added movement and flow, guiding the viewer’s eye across the piece and weaving the elements together.
What began as a simple outline from a personal photograph transformed, step by step, into a celebration of life, love, and the hope for peace.
After beginning with the outline based on my wedding photo, I moved into the most exciting part of the process: building her from the inside out. Each section of her portrait tells its own story, stitched together with fabric, thread, and meaning.
Face
I wanted her face to feel alive, connected directly to the earth itself. Instead of skin tones, I chose layers of green fabrics to create depth and texture, suggesting leaves, moss, and the vitality of nature. The blue eyes are a reminder of water and sky—open, watchful, and full of quiet strength.
Hair
Her hair became a garden in itself. I used blossoms in shades of purple, pink, and red, arranging them to cascade like curls. Each flower adds movement and vibrancy, symbolizing growth and diversity. The richness of her hair carries both beauty and resilience, echoing the abundance of nature.
Shoulder
I first began the shoulder in shades of purple, but as the piece developed, I realized it blended too closely with the hair. To give the figure more clarity and balance, I shifted the color to red. This change helped the shoulder stand apart, flowing naturally into the gown while still connecting to the floral textures of the upper body. The result is a shoulder that carries both strength and softness, a bridge between her face and the vibrant sweep of her dress.
Arm
The arm became a river of red flowers, flowing downward with movement and energy. This part of the piece anchors her body, while also connecting her to the earth below. The textures and stitching gave me the chance to play with rhythm, almost like petals falling or rippling water.
Hand
The hand is perhaps the most important part of the portrait, because it holds the globe. I shaped it with green fabrics, just like the face, to remind us that our world is literally cradled by the living Earth. Her palm is open, tender, and protective—she doesn’t grasp or hold tightly, but rather supports and sustains.
Butterflies
The butterflies are the messengers of transformation and freedom. I loved letting them flow outward from her gown and around the globe, almost as if they are carrying her love and energy into the world. Each butterfly is different in size, shape, and color, representing the diversity of life on Earth.
Hummingbirds
Tiny hummingbirds dance near her face, adding lightness and motion. They symbolize joy, resilience, and connection—always moving, always alive. They felt like the perfect finishing touch, bringing the portrait a sense of harmony and playfulness.
Every section of Mother Earth – May There Be Peace was stitched with intention, layer upon layer, until the portrait came alive. What started as a simple outline from a wedding photo grew into a vision of care, hope, and peace—an offering to the world we all share.
With Mother Earth I learned a lot about my process in how I work. My inner work for myself was a predominate thought process. To stay in hope and love while the world outside is so crazy. To find peace and love inside to have that vibration in the piece itself.
I also learned that I wanted to start with one color way and it evolved into more colors that support my vision of what it would look like. This shows in the shoulder area where I started with a purple that was to close to the hair color into this lush red to peach coloration.
Mother Earth is debuting in Houston, International Quilt Show as a special exhibit with Soul Stories. Soul Stories- Threads of Existence is going to be traveling for some time. I will let you know where she is going next!
Please let me know what you think about Mother Earth in the comments below.
