Mobile of Memory
Written by: mindfulnesspaintings
My creations are, in a sense, each a mobile of memory. At Mindfulness Paintings, my work often centers on being present—creating in the “Right Now” while honoring the spaces between memories of the past and hopes for the future. My piece Childhood is a reflection of this approach. It’s an experimental mobile, created to reconnect with the earliest sparks of creativity I can remember—those moments of instinct, exploration, and wonder that first shaped my artistic path.
This is the first mobile I’ve ever made, and the format for this mobile of memory became essential. I wanted to capture the magic of the whirligigs that once spun above my crib—always moving, always surprising. Childhood mirrors that energy. Its swaying, shifting form draws the viewer in, inviting curiosity and presence with every turn. Mobile of Memory
This mobile of memory is built entirely from familiar childhood materials—macrame, yarn, pom-poms, buttons, beads, pipe cleaners, macaroni, and even a plastic teething ring—this piece forced me to work within limits, just as a child does when first learning how to make sense of the world. Each item was chosen for its texture, its playfulness, and the way it evokes tactile memory. I didn’t plan it all out. I let the process lead—mindfully following what felt true, piece by piece.
Childhood is a living mobile of memory. It’s not static—it moves, invites interaction, and tells its story through motion, light, and shadow. It’s a reminder that creativity begins not with mastery, but with curiosity and freedom.
This sculpture was recently featured in the Stories in Stitches exhibition at the Northville Art House, a show that celebrated how fiber art can hold and share memory. It was an honor to have this piece included in a space that recognizes the quiet strength of storytelling through craft.
Even with a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute and an M.S. in education, my creative journey didn’t begin in school—it began with crayons, glue, string, and instinct. That’s the spirit behind Childhood: a mobile of memory that captures the playful chaos, present-moment awareness, and raw joy of those first artistic moments.
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https://mindfulnesspaintings.com/books/
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A playful mobile made from childhood materials, capturing the movement, memory, and wonder of early creative exploration.