Hovering, an ancient born energy radiates amidst its bearers midst, above an ocean leaping from, a primal soothing waterline nourishing new branches, emanating through every gesture, like vines tendrilling outward, to one day bring treasures of their journey back home...
Cellular Sojourn, My Henna Art
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About this Henna Artwork
Cellular Sojourn is a Custom Organic Henna Tattoo Miko I painted on the hand of a patron at the Carneul Festival in New Mexico. The recipient wanted a design that 'just made them happy every time they looked at the time.'I thought it would be nice to make them a finger bracelet (a Henna Bracelet is a pattern or design that is intended to wrap around a body part), and float the Zoroastrian-based paisley design reminiscent of Life and Eternity.
I chose to freehand a butterfly landing on a Night Blooming Cereus, (Peniocereus greggii) one of the many beautiful and dangerous cacti which comprise the native Southwest landscape. "I chose this particular cactus becuase it is not normally that luscious green you see in pictures, it's often mistaken for dried branch. Yet it is alive, and creates livid, surprising blossoms."
What is a Henna Tattoo?
A Henna Tattoo of this size and complexity is something that takes about 5-15 minutes, depending on the individual tastes of the customer.
I always allow myself to incorporate any idea that inspires the collector of Henna art. It's something that's going on your body - And just like I'm inspired to do it, any artistic ideas you have while it's being made can always turn the work into something even more spectacular!
About Henna Dye
Henna is a dye which we get from a plant root of Lawsonia inermis, colloquially referred to as the Henna Plant, or, just plain, "henna." This plant has been used for thousands of years for the pigment that comes from its roots. In modern times, the dye is sometimes mixed with essential oils before being applied to the skin. Whenever I do this sort of artwork I adhere to a strict recipe which only uses 100% organic ingredients and never uses 'Black Henna' or other untraditional substances for Henna Tattoos.
It's kinda' challenging to find a good video on the science and history of Henna, but one cool one I found was this one by Kanan M., who does a great job narrating really cool things about the Henna plant.
