self-rediscovery
Archive Entry: 1382
Volume: Evolution (Shifts in self-identity, rediscovery, and growth)
Medium: Skin
Key notes/components of inspiration:
-
Foilage
Nature
Script Integration -
Poem
Amber Fossey
Handwritten Words
Mirrored Lines
New Zealand Autumn
Musical Notes
Dual Birds -
Reclaiming Yourself
Self-Reminder
Writing your Own Story
The composition of this piece spans across three layers, blending visual and conceptual elements from first aesthetic cues to its deeper narrative core:
Her storyYou wrote the song
There comes a time when we realise we do not need to wait for permission to be free or to take flight — because the sky was ours all along.
It was a long time coming for Rachel, who brought in a poem by artist Amber Fossey (@zeppelinmoon) that moved her immensely. To her, those words resonated with her being and gave her the emotional support that she needed at that time.
Upon her request, Amber was very kind to rewrite the poem in her own handwriting, adding a personal touch and charm to the design. Key lines of the poem are selectively rendered in mirror-image, these are intimate details meant specifically for her to read when looking at her reflection.
The poem then comes alive through a recreation of personal memories. Inspired by photos she took while watching sunlight pierce through autumn leaves on her first-ever solo trip to New Zealand are branches and leaves that frame two birds in flight; one drawn by Amber in the original poem and the other by the studio. We also swapped the original musical notes for notes from her favourite line in “Being Alive", adding a subtle, deeply personal detail that only she knows.
By uniting the poem that saved her with the memories of her own independent journeys, she created a powerful reminder that she is not just surviving the story, she is the composer of her own song.
“A beautiful tattoo is different from a meaningful tattoo and still, both would pale (literally) to a meaningfully beautiful tattoo.
Bernice achieves this with questions, the offering of options, and imparting insightful knowledge and expertise of her craft. While I went in with the intent of a poem that resonated with my core, some side decorations of branches, leaves and birds, what I got was the gift of a permanent artwork of depth.
Specific images known only to myself, to remember moments of freedom, nature that healed my inner being, and music that made my soul weep; the poem written by hand by the author herself, together with 2 birds celebrating the 2 artists of this incredible work - I am beyond grateful.”
Your story is worth telling.
Whether it’s life-changing poetry or the song of your own awakening, this is where your truth takes flight.