A concept I'm working on...

Enlightened Gris-Gris - copyright Shanah 2005
All rights reserved

I started thinking about Louisiana, the hurricanes we've endured and the outlook for our future. I remember how my Grandmother used to light palm leaves and throw them into the storm, to calm it... or put a knife under the bed to "cut the pain" and use l’eau de sureau, la patate fleur and other herbs for healing. I was feeling nostalgic for all the old ways we've lost and feeling dispirited about current conditions.

I figured we could use a little gris-gris! So, in honor of the past and with wishes for the future, I made my little poupee (or in english, doll) for Louisiana. I didn't want the dark side of the gris-gris to play any part, so I have conjured some "Enlightened Gris-Gris"! It's handstitched and bound traditionally, but has a few intentions of my own.

• Pins pushed into the gris-gris doll are used to evoke something. White pins enhance, black pins subdue. So the first white pin is to enhance the minds of our people.
• I used a very old mother of pearl button from my Great Grandmother's sewing box. This is for vision, to make the right decisions in the future.
• The wings and halo are made from moss & sticks from my yard and feathers from my bird, so that Louisiana can take flight in a new positive direction.
• The little poupee is stuffed with spanish moss for an enduring link to the past, a little file for spice of life, a shark's tooth for strength and le sureau and la patate fleur for healing.
• Tucked inside are bits of cane, rice and pecans for bountiful, nourishing harvests and cuisine.
• A white pin in the heart region to enhance the heart and will of our people
• Necklaces of shell and pearls to remind us of the value of our coastal wetlands and to help preserve them. Also a necklace with the symbols from my "mark". (See below)
• Palm leaves from the cathedral. Ready to throw into the storm and protect us from nature's fury. (I don't know if the priest would be too thrilled about this one)
• Before fresh flowers were available year round in Louisiana women would make beaded flowers for special occasions, happy or mournful. The little beaded flower is to honor all the special occasions and memories of our ancestors.
• An old family holy medal on the band represents strength in prayer and/or intentions.
• A bound & beaded waistband, to honor the Native Americans that were here first.
• A black pin to reverse the exodus. We're losing too many of the young, talented, old and wise. With every person or family that leaves a bit of our culture, heritage and brainpower is lost.
• Music and The Arts! Support it! 'nuff said!

I'm starting a series of paintings with my little gris-gris poupee showing up in different parts of the state. Places that I think could use a visit and a little Enlightened Gris-Gris!

I've just added some photos of the gris-gris as well as the basic design for some cards and shirts I've been making for friends and family

Here's a painting I've been working on for Spring Bayou. We've got a HUGE hydrilla problem...Spring Bayou could use a visit from the gris-gris

Here are the basic ideas behind the "mark".

It's written in a font based on 18th century calligraphy. This type of writing is seen in a lot of the antique documents I've come across relating to our state's history, religious as well as government. I thought it would be appropriate. The halo on the i is obvious - and you're familiar with the pins now ;) There's a hand stitched fleur de lis between the gris gris. The symbols at the bottom are as follows

• A Morning Star Rising in the Hearts of the People - symbolic of love and intense heart and will
• Faith
• A Wishbone - wishes for the future
• A Fleur de Lis - remembrance of the past