From Sketch to Reality: The Story Behind En no Ki 縁の木 -
En no Ki 縁の木Tree of Bonds
It started with a scrap paper, lattes, and five minutes.
My friend and co-collaborator, Manami and I had just ordered latte’s at this cute cafe and I scanned the room looking for potential places to make an art installation. Why? Because we know how good it feels making art in a positive supportive space and we want others to get that same benefit. This is not about perfect technical drawings or conceptual art that challenges the viewer. Although that’s all really good! I have worked with kids and adults from professional artists to people who say “I can’t draw, “ or “I’m not creative.” No matter what a person’s background is, creating artwork as a shared activity makes space for people to open up without pressure. As we cut, glue, arrange shapes, something else happens. Each person begins to relax and let the spontaneous act of creating bring back wonder and curiosity, and we could all use more of that!
What Is En no Ki?
En no Ki means "Tree of Bonds" in Japanese. It’s about connection.
We wanted to create something that symbolized the invisible bonds between us. A mandala was the first thing that came to mind. The mandala shows up in cultures and spiritual traditions across the world. It reminds us of our wholeness, of the truth that we’re not actually separate, even if life makes it easy to forget. The general pattern follows radial symmetry and this provides a structure. Some people followed it but many created a completely different composition all together which I love. We hung them on a fabric tree made of old silk kimono from Japan - of course!
The Magic of Making Something from Everyday Material
My brain doesn’t shut off when it comes to creating. Whether it’s a pile of old fabrics, scraps of paper, or an empty yogurt container, I see potential. Probably to a fault, since I have to force myself not to save everything!
Yes, I love a beautiful art supply store. But there’s something special about the challenge of creating from what’s already around us...and it helps ease the guilt I carry about consumption, waste, plastic, living in a world full of too much stuff.
I’m not zero-waste. I’m a mom of three. But I’m doing what I can. And art helps.
So, Why Make Art?
Because it’s healing. Because it’s a reminder. Because it’s FUN!
Because in a world full of everyone telling you how to do EVERYTHING BETTER and FASTER, art brings us back to real life, and back to connecting with each other. It’s the conversations between making, asking for help, or noticing something you like about your friends work and how it reminds you of a specific memory. Or in the example with my son and his friend, they bonded over T-Rex drawings and how to make them “extra scary!” These are the connections.
On the days where you just want to throw everything in the trash…like everything, because there’s already too much in your head, that’s when creating can help ease some of that.
And if you can, do it with someone else.