A Sacred Rite of Passage
What does a modern day Mother’s Blessing look like? I have been to over a hundred different gatherings of women like this, and each one is unique. It is one of my absolute favorite things to witness: to see women caring for each other, pledging their love and support, creating rituals to honor the rite of passage into Motherhood.
This particular celebration of pregnancy was by far the most impressive! It included many blessings, speaking aloud the blessings offered with each bead in the necklace that was formed as they strung it all together. It included a lot of flower petals - sacred mandalas the women created that were later showered over the new mother. There were women on the couch, stitching embroidery into a baby blanket. I spent 2 hours adorning this beautiful mama, and then did a little photoshoot. Then they all DANCED together! And most impressive - the father-to-be was outside with his circle of friends, having his own ceremony around the fire. Afterwards the men came inside and there was a joyous feast.
Many people refer to this as a Blessingway, but that is a specific Native American tradition for the rite of passage. What we create is not a #blessingway, since that is not our heritage and we are not invoking the traditional spirits and so forth. Instead, this is a #MotherBlessing.
#ritual #mothersblessing #rewildingwomen #motherblessingceremony #blessings #bellyblessing #honoringmothers #ceremony #wombyn #divinefeminine #womensupportingwomen #sisterhood #mamablessing #journeytomotherhood #sisterlove #sacred #babyshowerideas #femaleempowerment #sacredfeminine #womenswork #mothersceremony #riteofpassage #womenscircle #sacredcircle #modernsacredcircle #togetherwerise #sarahkatebutterworth
What an incredible celebration this was! When I arrived, the women paused their ritual and the mama-to-be told me about her design ideas. She brought out this gorgeous, detailed image of a kind of tree of life, with each branch containing a different animal - probably over a hundred were pictured! She wanted me to include as many animals as I could, as well as an unborn baby.
As I went along I received specific requests for a fern,mushroom, moon, stars and worm. So creative! I am grateful to get to spontaneously stretch my artistic skills like this!
#unbornbaby #mushroom #turtle #elephant #hennabelly #pregnancycelebration #bellyblessing #boulderhenna #coloradohenna #mamatobe #motherhood #prenatalhenna #adornment #hennaart #sarahkatebutterworth
Moose, Spruce and Acorn
The process of getting a henna design is one of co-creation! I love listening to women tell me their ideas and then I allow them to spontaneously come together. This particular design took 3 hours to create, other designs take about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
After we discuss design ideas, women are welcome to dress up colorful silky things before we begin. The mama (or mama-to-be) sits in my special henna throne for adornment, relaxing with her feet up and pillows supporting her. I always take a moment to create sacred space and set intentions. Sometimes, this is the first ritual a woman has to honor her rite of passage. When the design is complete, I always take photographs in my home studio.
#ritual #sacredart #empoweringwomen #sacredspace #riteofpassage #bodyart #mothertobe #babybump #prenatalhenna #expectingmom #creativewomen #hennabelly #hennaartist #sarahkatebutterworth
I love it when mamas come to me with unique ideas! This mama was pregnant with her 3rd child, and told me her family has a tradition to name the fetus - the first unborn baby was referred to as Moose, the second as Acorn, and this little one is Spruce.
As soon as I heard this I started envisioning a mountain scene and I really love how it all came together! There was a lot of detail in this adornment, which took 3 hours to complete.
#moose #acron #spruce #fetusname #henna #bellyblessing #uniquehenna #maternityhenna #thirdtrimester #coloradohenna #pregnancyrituals #pregnancyart #hennapro #freehand #prenatal #sarahkatebutterworth
After this sweet mama’s henna adornment, we took a few photos in the studio. I’ve been collecting all kinds of beautiful silks and skirts for over decades now and I love this part of the session - the part that feels like dress-up. 20 years ago, my young daughters were dressing each other up in my many skirts and silks, and I credit them for encouraging me to dress up the lovely pregnant women that came into our home then.
#bumpstyle #pregnantandbeautiful #maternityportraits #boulderphotographer #henna #inspirepregnancy #bouldermaternityphotographer #bouldercolorado #maternityshoot #maternity #sarahkatebutterworth
This mama returned for a snowy photoshoot when her henna was peaking in color! The dark henna paste comes off after a few hours and then the design takes 2 or 3 days to come to it’s darkest color - which is different for each woman.
It was cold, and this mama wore her coat in between shots.
#coloradohenna #maternityphotography #pregnantbellyart #hennabelly #boulderhennaartist #boulderhenna #maternityart #babybumpart #hennamountain #pregnancyphotos #coloradomamas #sarahkatebutterworth
Pregnant Models Needed for 2023!
I am delighted to announce that I am starting a new Pregnancy Art Project!
I have missed the incredibly creative opportunities for expression through the art of adorning pregnant models.
I am currently accepting model applications for pregnant women through December 15, 2022 and will be scheduling all the dates starting in January 2023. If you know someone who may be interested in participating, please feel free to share this information with them.
To apply:
My heart is glowing, ready to flow out in the form of celebratory art, honoring this new generation being born.
I embrace my calling and open myself to new beginnings.
Feeling the love on my birthday, wearing birthday henna!
Hello friends and fans of my artwork!
I doodled this in my journal during a women's gathering this summer
It's been about 3 years now since I last communicated with you publicly on this blog, and so much has transformed.
Another doodle from my journal during a class. It’s how I relax and learn.
Since the pandemic, so many of the things in my life felt like they burst into flames and went up in smoke, like
my marriage & kids at home
my art studio
my former website
my email list
Fresh birthday henna this summer.
If you want to keep hearing from me, please scroll to the bottom of this page as you read it and at the bottom there's an opportunity to keep in touch and get a few of my Art Updates a year.
I have some good news!
I love playing with new shapes.
I have spent the last 2 1/2 years as an "empty nester"
healing
continuing my henna only by request
dreaming up my rebirth
This winter I officially turn the page and start a NEW CHAPTER in my life.
A new body of work is calling to come forth:
A New
Pregnancy
Art Project
Yes! I am calling out for models and if you are interested check out my page on Models.
Pregnancy henna from a few years back.
More exciting news:
I am happy to announce that I have
a new Art Studio in Boulder!
I found a wonderful little sanctuary in North Boulder and I've created a cheerful, colorful space with your comfort in mind. Sit back in my brand new henna throne with a cup of tea and tell me your visions. Together we will have a little ritual to set intentions and I will begin the adornment.
My birthday henna, after applying henna a 2nd time and waiting 3 more days. It was incredibly dark for so long!
I love how the henna lasts a week or two, reminding you of your intentions, acknowledging where you are in life right now. The henna is temporary, but the photos I will send you last forever.
My rate is $100/hour, with a 1 hour minimum when booking at my home Art Studio.
House-calls and Parties start at $300.
Sessions include a brief photo session with the best 4 images (watermarked) sent to you by email.
I am currently booked through 2022 and will be making new appointments in 2023.
Please note that my new Art Studio is NOT open to the public, and is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Feel free to contact me for a henna session in 2023 -
303-345-1516
- or email SKB@SarahKateButterworth.com
I'm taking a winter break, one last nap in the den, before coming out into the light ready to start fresh. I've been deep in the dark world of transformation these past 2 1/2 years and I'm only just now emerging to the public and opening my studio books for clients.
Here are two of the hundreds of models for my last art project honoring the Sacred Feminine. Such sweet memories….
An Update on my Sacred Feminine Art Project:
I unexpectedly and suddenly stopped painting models for this project in the spring of 2020, and slowly came to realize that this project is complete.
I am currently involved in the delicate process of going through thousands of photos and creating a thick book of wild art, which I hope to print in 2023.
Let's stay in touch!
People on my newsletter will be the first to hear about future model calls and other special events and opportunities.
Birthday henna from 2021!