I adore the texture and color of this spoke crochet mandala by Jane Feagans-King, who we know on this blog as gigididthis from Instagram. She can also be found on Twitter @janemarieLWB. Describing herself simply, she writes that she is a “mom, nana, video producer, nurse, wife and queer sister” and adds “I crochet because it heals and gives me joy.”
She writes,
“I have been inspired by Wink’s work for a long time. I, myself, love mandalas. Their organic and artistic nature calls to me, and I find them both challenging and calming to crochet. I especially love Marinke’s designs because of the beautiful colors she chose to use in her work and creative patterns.”
“When I learned of Wink’s death by suicide, and also of this project, I knew I had to participate. I have suffered severe bouts of depression for most of my life. In fact, when I was a very young child I first attempted to end my life. I have been at the place where it seemed that I was in the bottom of a dark, deep hole and that I couldn’t see my way out. I have had nights where I prayed to be able to hang on until I could see a bit of light at the top of that dark place and know I would survive. Love, medication, crafting and therapy – they’ve all helped me to get to a brighter place.”
“A few years ago, after a severe illness, I found myself very depressed and had a lot of anxiety issues. I could no longer work as a nurse and I had lost a great deal of my vision and much of my short-term and long-term memory. I’m not sure why I picked up crochet at that time, but I did, and it truly saved me. It got me through a time of grief and pain, healed my heart, spirit and my brain, and gave me a sense of creating that I had lost.”
“Wink’s death has been a reminder to me that the most beautiful of people can hide a deep, painful sorrow and that healing is a one-day-at-a-time thing. I want Wink’s family to know that her beautiful, bright and joyful designs will be with us always, and so will she. I’m so very sorry for this loss and if I could give one message about all others to them (from someone who has survived so far) it is that her death is not their fault. They remain in my prayers.”
Find all posts in the Mandalas for Marinke remembrance project here.
