Immram Chara (Journey Friend) is a manifestation of my own journey, floating on the flowing waters of many streams of inspiration.

I was born into a community filled with "ordinary artists": gardeners, seamstresses, cake decorators, storytellers, Halloween costume designers, quilters, gift-wrappers, amateur cellists, painters of furniture, houses and faces...family members, godparents, friends, mentors who brought beauty to every aspect of life.

When I launched from the family nest, it was into theatre -- an environment flowing with creative juice.

The world of make believe eventually opened into the world of "real" as I was called into 20 years of parish ministry and spiritual direction, to serve as a companion for people in times of crisis, profound transition, and at the thresholds of birth and death. Slowly, but steadily this vocation has beckoned me away from primary reliance on the written and spoken word into the deeper world of image.

Over the past seven years, these images have taken the form of fiber art to inspire and befriend the individual and communal spiritual pilgrimage. For awhile, I used the art pieces in retreats and as a focus for spirituality groups, but recently I have sensed that it is time to send them on their own journey into lives far beyond my own reach.

Recently I launched my own website (www.immram-chara.net) and I am turning to the community of Etsy as the port of departure for this work.

Each immram, shrine, focus piece, or lexicon is unique and intricately hand-made. Most include found objects, vintage beads, hand-painted and hand-dyed fabrics, crystals, stones or other natural objects, and decorative fibers. They range in size from 8" or 9" square to 15" by 18" -- so they are perfect for traveling or for a small meditation area.

My process is to give over control of the outcome of the creative process, trusting that what unfolds will be the perfect challenge, or comfort, or companion for the person who finds it. In this way, I hope is to offer authentic icons for your own journey, pilgrimage, or immram.

If you see an image or set of images that speak to you and you would like to consider a commissioned piece, please contact me or visit my website (www.immram-chara.net) to see other examples of my work.