Lucy Berry Snyder

Queen Child KingServant Joker Victim Vampire Gambler Mother Saboteur Guide

Prostitute Judge Lucy Berry Snyder Valrico FL

My life as an artist began at age five when I sat, fascinated by my mom, who sewed away on her original designs for clothing and home décor. I begged for my own sewing machine and the next Christmas I received a toy machine with a hand wheel that I treasured for years, even though it didn’t really sew anything!

My clearest memories as a five-year old are of the quiet, dark convent each week where I learned to make cross stitches as mom worked with the nuns to craft altar linens and vestments from stiff, colorful satin and heavy gold embroidery. My Magical Child archetype created scenarios of reverent processions of priests in those vestments. Thus began a lifelong love for textiles, embroidery and the art and mystery of transforming these materials into things of beauty.

Over the years I have experimented with various surface design and textile processes including hand painting and dyeing, traditional piecing, appliqué, collage, and eventually I turned to designing and fabricating large wall hangings for churches.

The second most important influence in my creative life was growing up in a military family, and then marrying into the military as well. Despite my loving and close-knit family, I often retreated into a world of romantic, mystical daydreams to fight the fear and loneliness of new places. I found security in the “art” of homemaking and carried my love for a welcoming home and great hospitality throughout all the moves and changes.

Currently I am focusing on symbolism, spirals, kaleidoscopes, and photography in the natural world which has led me to create fiber art that is metaphorical or tells a story.

In reference to this exhibition and the archetypes, I have felt challenged, frustrated and fascinated all at once – for two years! At first, I thought I would do a series, but during the last several weeks I realized that I needed to find my core, make some choices and move on. When I came across this baby photo last week it was like a lightning bolt – my mother’s words rang in my ears, “You were born a free spirit full of gold dust and the ocean, and your arms always reaching up to catch life.” While I will continue to explore my unique archetypes and how I can live more in the light, I am also going to rest in the knowledge that it is enough – I am enough!

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From Zero to Seventy -- Archetypes at the Core 2021 8" x 12" Art Quilt NFS davelucysnyder@gmail.com