A spa day, a ritual, an art event, a blessing circle and photo shoot all rolled into one
I received a text from Rosi when she was 33 weeks pregnant. She was hoping to schedule a henna session with me around her 36th week, as some friends were planning a gathering to honor her rite of passage as a first time mama. Despite a rather full summer schedule, I was able to fit in her henna session.
After I asked for design ideas, she complimented my work, saying it was hard to choose because she loved all my designs. She provided helpful direction by sending screenshots of my past work, which clarified her preferences. I was encouraged to hear her appreciation for designs that blend intricate details into a larger image or story. It's rewarding to know what resonates with women.
#36weeks #riteofpassage #summerhenna #boulderart #hennalove #bouldercolorado #hennaflow #modernhenna #freestyle #hennapro #womensart #motherblessing #babyblessing
I love it when pregnant mamas share design ideas with me, it makes creating a custom design so much more fun. Rosi expressed her preference for nature scenes, where the focus is a tree and leaves, and she especially loved the asymmetrical trees where the trunk curls over itself, more stylized as opposed to realistic. She loved the upturned crescent moon shape and stars, as well as the sun.
She also provided a list of animals to potentially include. As soon as I saw "hummingbird" on her list, it sparked a real surge of inspiration. I immediately envisioned it as the central element of the entire design.
I was so inspired that I started sketching some initial ideas right away. When she arrived, I was ready to dive in. It was encouraging when she expressed her excitement for my intuition and artistry, saying that she trusted my hand, heart, and mind to work their magic on the project.
#hummingbird #asymmetrical #hennatree #magic #allnaturalhenna #firsttimemama #celebratelife #pregnantlife #pregnantbelly #uniquehenna #pregnancyhenna #maternityhenna
I had the privilege of capturing a beautiful moment between a pregnant mama and her dear friend, as they held onto the precious belly. It was so wonderful to witness the bond these two women share. This dear friend had flown out specifically to be with her and celebrate this new chapter. Hearing about their long-standing friendship and how much it meant to the new mama was incredibly heartwarming. It was such a sweet reminder of how important it is for women to support each other, especially during significant life changes like becoming a mother. Moments like these highlight the power of strong female friendships and the comfort they provide.
#womensupportingwomen #sisterhood #mamablessing #journeytomotherhood #sisterlove #sacred #babyshowerideas #femaleempowerment
Rosi returned for a follow-up session just three days after her initial henna application, and we had a fantastic photoshoot in my garden.
It's always such a joy for me to see my henna art again when it's at its peak color, and reconnecting with the expectant mothers I adorn is truly special. Each session, and especially these follow-ups, feels like another beautiful opportunity to celebrate new life and witness the beauty of the art as it fully develops.
Since henna is a natural and temporary art form, capturing it in photographs allows me to create a lasting memento of the beautiful belly art.
Beyond that, these photos are also incredibly valuable to me as an artist. They serve as a personal archive of the unique works of art I've had the privilege to create, and a way to remember the incredible women I've met just before they crossed the threshold into motherhood.
#illustrativehenna #maternityart #bellyart #modernhenna #freestyle #nostencil #hennapro #womensart #hennadesign #customdesign #naturalhenna #hennastain
Testimonial from Rosi:
“I just had the most amazing henna session with SarahKate Butterworth, a deeply intuitive artist and all around gorgeous human.
“I was so inspired and grateful that I want to share! I found out about her from a post in this group [Boulder Collective] from years ago and am hoping to make her work more visible, so others can have this magical experience.
“SarahKate did one of a kind henna art on my belly, my hand, and my friends hand and foot, all based on imagery that was meaningful to us, and then took incredible professional photos of us, all in her beautiful studio and garden. It was like a spa day, a ritual, an art event, a blessing circle and photo shoot all rolled into one.
“I highly highly highly recommend her and her work. What a fantastic way to celebrate this birth and transitional moment.
“If you are looking for a special treat for yourself in a birth or fertility journey, check out SarahKate!”
#intuitiveartist #fertilityjourney #bodyart #sacred #ceremony #henna #blessings #bellyblessing #honoringmothers #pregnancy #pregnancyhenna #bellyhenna