Category: Artist

Expect to Heal

8/27/2018

Nurture is your Nature

A personal entry on my connection with Henna

Written by Saira Hussain

To my dearest self,

Why are you so dependent on exterior sources of motivation when you yourself are an awakened state.
Your talents keep others quiet and then when you wish to speak about your most cherished moments they respond only to disappoint?

Why is it that to your closest choose to crouch in vein when you reveal reality? A bitter truth about their present situation, an opinionated realization of their mistakes or negative habits which are further propelling them to their darker stages in life. Why do people disagree to agree after realms of conversations change tone but the answer is still the same? We, as humans are the most complex breed here on earth but we are not alone. We are given forms of recovery with the abundance of earth's very own; EARTH.

Nature has a presence unlike no other creature. It grows in the coldest and hottest of climates, sheltering us in the storms but also guiding us with fuel and prosperity to look forward to a newer and brighter day. I never knew of my motive to adorn until I sat in reflection after two back to back brides (Gold and Platinum) in June 2018. I have been practicing with henna in the Arts as well as in the wedding industry but never within therapy. But wait, I did practice henna through therapy; my thesis at OCAD University in 2007-2013. Yes it took me a few extra years to graduate but that is because I was financially unable to sustain my education and my mental health. Henna was that medium that brought me back to my senses to overcome my anxiety but also provide me a sense of home and guidance.

“I believe in love.
I believe in hard times and love winning.
I believe marriage is hard.
I believe people make mistakes.
I believe people can want two things at once.
I believe people are selfish and generous at the same time.
I believe very few people want to hurt others.
I believe that you can be surprised by life.
I believe in happy endings.”
― Isabel Gillies, Happens Every Day: An All Too True Story

Mixed media (self printed raw silk, handmade cotton paper, henna dye, newsprint, muslin). 2013

The very thought of believing in something, someone, some place, a moment, a time, a feeling, ANYTHING can take greater shape in the future than we can imagine. Knowing that I came from somewhere; two beautiful humans who came from a side of the world that I have never swallowed on my own, is difficult to believe. My roots are Pakistani but I was born on Canadian grounds. Civilized adults act respectfully but I had a hard time coping with who I was and had an even harder time respecting and appreciating my living standards. My time was short during academic hours; I could feel an expectation calling my name miles before it even sunk into my brain and bursted onto the one-hundred pound paper through my micron ink pens and led. I couldn't draw what the class expected me to do, I did what I felt was needed. I passed with flying colours and numbers began to sink as my financial situation was sinking deeper and deeper. I was low on fuel and so I began disappearing from classes as I didn't have enough to sustain my mind; my creativity.

"Kabul-Khan". Henna, gouache and birch veneer. 2012

My professors loved and supported my innovation but when it came to judgement day, they wouldn't see me till hours after. This lead to my depression and anxiety overload. I could no longer outline contrast nor shade; all my work looked the same because I resorted to what I was taught to believe in; my religion. This was not the route I was expected to take but a journey I had to pass as 'expected' was not simply a phase but a challenge in every part of my life.

My culture changed my life; my perspective on life of all that I absorbed and reflected time and time again. I finally understood the meaning of my time and vastly, my purpose. I was here as a medium; an abundance of light and prosperity for others and I wanted to create a continuous path, an infinite path of existence to help heal those around me. When I had completed 'O' I sighed in relief as I lay my last henna cone on the ground. My fingers were bruised and they were numb. I could not feel my neck for days as I prepared my stretchers and costs for the final viewing for OCAD University's Annual Grad Exhibition. I was so happy to have completed it all.

Below: Self portrait. At OCAD University GRADEX. 2013

I realized I had composed a verse from a void that filled most of our souls.

A void of unsurprised guilt and self doubt.
An emptiness that each of us suppress due to its uncertainty and disappointed expectations.

My one medium emitted more than it's history but a healing from the earth unknown to anyone until it was revealed in its true state; a liberation of the arts. The repeated patterns danced as I watched the wheel of opportunity extend it's patterned movement towards the light and shadow. It represented change and reflection. It became my mantra and an existence that I now share today with you.

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Send letters with flowers

1/24/2018

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When PAPER
breathes
FLOWERS

Photography and tutorial by Sarah Hussain of Breath of Henna.

SU
PP
LI
ES

Scissors
Hot glue gun and sticks
Italian Crepe Paper (180 lb or 30 lb)
Seran wrap cylinder
X-acto blade
Masking tape
Ruler
Card stock

Writing hasn't always been my strength, which may be a surprise to some of you. Throughout the course of last year, my work has been published in wedding, fashion and art magazines. Starting the year fresh again, I wanted to create poetically and so I masked my words into the crevices of paper with paper flowers. When there is an event, I always want to pursue it individually; challenging myself with time. Punctuality always came late to me but that never allowed a dent into my creativity. As promised, here is my written tutorial on hand made paper flowers.

For the Must Be Kismet Wedding Show, I wanted to create paper flowers. Not your average paper flowers that every decorator creates (frames, arches and flushed walls). I wanted to give life to my booth as being a Henna vendor many associate mehndi colours with deeply saturated moroccan stones and South Asia's vast variety of coloured spices.

I always want my Brides to feel breath taking and beautiful. These flowers had to speak by their weight and size. So I found my way researching paper stores the first week of January and found an intimate space, decorated in all its charm, The Paper Place.

S
TE
PS

The nectar - twirl & pull

Firstly you want to make sure you have a 180 lb crepe paper (colour is up to you)
Measure out 1 meter of crepe paper and cut.
Fold the paper in half vertically 3 xs and cut it in thirds.
Cut 3/4 along each side so that you have 1/4 of the paper still intact (this will create your repeat)
Open the repeat and scrunch together pulling inwards from both ends till you get to the centre with a bunch. Twist this bunch from the top and bottom ends, do this tight. Unravel gently. Individually pull each petal 1/4 " outwards.
Pinch together all ends until in palm of hand (it will look like a bundle) and glue (hot glue gun) around plastic wrap roll. Using mask tape after will help seal it. Repeat tissue bundle 5 xs to achieve large nectar.

Once you've collected all the bundles together, now you can glue them using your hot glue gun. Placing them equally around the rod (plastic wrap roll). Your nectar should now look like the above image on your right. This tutorial took me three days to perfect and I'm still in awe of how I'm losing site of the cuts I needed to make for their leaves. With January being mental health awareness month, it's vital that we all take a breather and slow down. When creating something so heartfelt, we should value the time that it takes us to create. If it makes you feel good, there should not be a doubt in your feeling. Allow your hands to communicate through your creations. You'd be surprised how many individuals I had smiling
through
life size
paper
peonies.

S
TE
PS

The BLOOM - cut, twirl & pull

Measure out 1 meter of crepe paper and cut.
Fold the paper in half vertically 2 xs and cut it in half (repeat this step for next set of bloom).
Take 1/2 and cut folded ends 3/4" vertically while leaving 1/4" joined.
Cut petal shape with 3 bumps
Open and scrunch together from end to end till you have a bundle.
Twist this bundle from top and bottom ends tightly. Unravel each petal individually.
Pull centre of petal to create curve on each petal. Repeat these steps for next 2 sets of halves (change petal shape while cutting).
Using card stock, cut out 2 18" wide circles. Create cross in centre using xacto knife.

For additional petals and bloom, cut paper in 1 m length and fold 2 xs vertically. You can either separate the petals in pairs (image 2 above) or pinch strip of petals in a circular motion around the 18" circle. For the first and second round of petals, don't forget to push them upwards and stretch each petal to create its fullest volume. To maintain it's shape, you can add some hot glue on the petal under and pinch with your fingers until dry. Do you remember the 18" card stock disk? Take a round of petals and pinch them while gluing them around the exterior circle. Glue this round under the large flower to create fullness. You should have 4 rounds of petals with a heavy nectar now. As the flower grows you are then ready for more individual petals and leaves.

Petals after being cut are twisted from top and bottom ends in a clockwise motion. Green is added for leaves, marigolds for the nectar and shades of magenta for petals. It's up to you!

I hope you all enjoyed this short and sweet written tutorial of my beautiful paper peonies! Here are some photos of what these beauties looked like at the Must Be Kismet Wedding Show! I now rent these out and am taking orders from decorators for your special day! Don't be shy and send your inquiries to my email: breathofhenna@gmail.com.

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Expect to Heal

Nurture is your Nature

A personal entry on my connection with Henna

Written by Saira Hussain

Mixed media (self printed raw silk, handmade cotton paper, henna dye, newsprint, muslin). 2013

"Kabul-Khan". Henna, gouache and birch veneer. 2012

Below: Self portrait. At OCAD University GRADEX. 2013

Send letters with flowers

When PAPER
breathes
FLOWERS

S
TE
PS

S
TE
PS

Saira Hussain

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connect with saira

Book your discovery call here

about saira

My story

Hours

Sunday: CLosed
Monday: 10-5 est
tuesday: 10-5 est
wednesday: 10-8 est
thursday: 9-4 est
Friday: 10-5 est
saturday: 11-4 est

Location:

Vaughan, ON

help

contact
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faq

Expect to Heal

Nurture is your Nature

A personal entry on my connection with Henna

Written by Saira Hussain

Mixed media (self printed raw silk, handmade cotton paper, henna dye, newsprint, muslin). 2013

"Kabul-Khan". Henna, gouache and birch veneer. 2012

Below: Self portrait. At OCAD University GRADEX. 2013​

Send letters with flowers

When PAPER breathes FLOWERS

STEPS

STEPS​

Saira Hussain

Archives

Categories

​

connect with saira​Book your discovery call here

about sairaMy story

HoursSunday: CLosedMonday: 10-5 esttuesday: 10-5 estwednesday: 10-8 estthursday: 9-4 estFriday: 10-5 estsaturday: 11-4 estLocation:Vaughan, ON

helpcontactreviews​faq

Below: Self portrait. At OCAD University GRADEX. 2013

When PAPER
breathes
FLOWERS

S
TE
PS

S
TE
PS

connect with saira

Book your discovery call here

about saira

My story

Hours

Sunday: CLosed
Monday: 10-5 est
tuesday: 10-5 est
wednesday: 10-8 est
thursday: 9-4 est
Friday: 10-5 est
saturday: 11-4 est

Location:

Vaughan, ON

help

contact
reviews
faq