The Ex Voto Project

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ABOUT JILL'S EX VOTO HEART DESIGN: When Richert first invited me to be the 1st ever featured artist on this Ex Voto Project he was spearheading, I was FLOORED! My emotions were all over the place: excited, nervous, but mostly PROUD that we would have this opportunity to collaborate together! We started our initial conversations back in October of 2019 when my husband Noah & I visited California on vacation. Less than a month after we returned home to Pennsylvania we heard about the terrible Kincade wildfires that occurred in Northern California! Then the holidays rolled around, life got in the way, & our busy schedules put this project on the back burner.

Then crazy 2020 presented itself with one of the biggest challenges ever: COVID-19!!! Noah & I are considered essential workers, but the bank I work at decided to reduce our exposure so we eventually went to a 2 week on / 2 week off schedule. It was during this first 2 week quarantine period that I decided I would get busy while I sheltered in place! Everyone across the globe was so preoccupied with worry & sorrow...this uncertainty was definitely unsettling. In a way, this project was exactly the kind of distraction & activity I needed to channel my artistic energy into. I was about to make good on that promise I made back in October. I needed to find meaning & purpose in all of this madness, so the love I poured into this heart was the perfect gesture & metaphor I needed to broadcast out into the world!

I titled my Ex Voto Heart "Gracious Crossroads". Gracious in the sense that I am thankful this project has been a pleasant & creatively fulfilling experience. Crossroads because this task has allowed me to revisit my artistic roots, made me flex my technical skills, & has ultimately made me realize that I need to nurture that part of my soul which has long been neglected. I know this opportunity has absolutely lead to much needed personal growth & self-care. In fact, I am already working on my own personal pin collection which will be announced & released VERY SOON!!!

If I had one thing to say to you today it would be, I love you. If I could reach out my hand to shake yours, I would. If I could embrace you in my arms & give you a non-socially distant hug, I would. We all share this planet - this nation, TOGETHER! This country is no more mine than yours & no more yours than mine. My hope is for a more equitable world for all of the people who live here. So my wish is that you accept this heart I designed with sincere gratitude. It carries within it all of my good intentions, my yearning for a more just & safe world. It represents dedication to family & is symbolic of faithfulness & universal love.