F.A.Q.

What is a Visual Linguist?

A visual linguist is someone who infers meaning from imagery similarly to the way most people read words. Nest & Tessellate uses folk pattern and symbolic languages to create narratives about how natural and artificial systems collide and how humans are at the same time the catalyst for change and subject to these forces. Most of us are visual linguists to greater or lesser degrees, since humans constantly interpret and communicate in symbolism. Many people in the neurodivergent community think in images INSTEAD of words. You can increase your capacity for ‘reading’ imagery through careful study and visualization practice. Doing so will open up whole new worlds of seeing.

What are Folk and Traditional Arts?

Folk and traditional arts are rooted in and reflective of the cultural life of a community. They encompass the body of expressive culture associated with the fields of folklore and cultural heritage. Tangible folk art includes objects which historically are crafted and used within a traditional community. Intangible folk arts include such forms as music, dance and narrative structures. Each of these arts, both tangible and intangible, was originally developed to address a real need. Once this practical purpose has been lost or forgotten, there is no reason for further transmission unless the object or action has been imbued with meaning beyond its initial practicality. These vital and constantly reinvigorated artistic traditions are shaped by values and standards of excellence that are passed from generation to generation, most often within family and community, through demonstration, conversation, and practice.

What is Material Culture?

Material culture is the aspect of culture manifested by the physical objects and architecture of a society. The term is primarily used in archaeology and anthropology, but is also of interest to sociology, geography and history. The field considers artifacts in relation to their specific cultural and historic contexts, communities and belief systems.

What is Celtic Knotwork?

Celtic spiral, step, key and knot patterns are ancient graphical motifs used in areas where the Celtic people historically lived for thousands of years, in the areas we know today as Ireland, Britain and France among others. These styles of decoration preceded written language in the region, and derive from precedents in visual pattern languages that were used at sites such as Newgrange to describe the motion of the sun, moon and stars. Presumably there would have been other meanings attached to the geometry of these designs that has been lost to time but which we can reimagine for our own purposes today.

What is Viking-era Knotwork?

Viking zoomorphic knotwork is a series of styles of animal-shaped interlacing patterns that were developed in stages and influenced by cross-cultural exchanges between Scandinavian peoples and the cultures they interacted with between about 700ce to 1,000ce. As well as having been used as a decorative motif, zoomorphic knotwork also presumably was embedded with narrative meanings that we have lost understanding of but which we can revive as an exercise in cultural reclamation. One interpretation of the theme of a battle between four-legged animal and serpent could have to do with the hazards humans faced when taking to the sea as primarily land-dwelling mammals.

What is Rosemaling?

Rosemaling is another decorative visual language that was developed in 17th century Norway and was influenced by Baroque and Rococo design from continental influences. Rosemaling means ‘rose-painting’, and it came about as a way for poor artisans to make a living by traveling the countryside and beautifying the homes of wealthier families with floral motifs to help brighten the mood over long winter months. This tradition later spread into Sweden and became a system of interrelated regional styles of painting that spoke to where that painter was from. The style of painting, then embodies and communicates a sense of place.

What is Pysanky?

Pysanky are most widely understood as ‘Ukrainian Easter Eggs’ but are created throughout the Slavic-speaking world. The practice of ‘writing’ a symbolic language on eggs with beeswax originates with the bird-goddess culture of the Trypillians during the Neolithic era in Southeastern Europe, over 7,000 years ago. In the late 20th century, the Soviets outlawed the art form and destroyed precious historical collections of Pysanky but the Slavic diaspora preserved the tradition and has since helped to restore it in Eastern Europe. The symbols and colors used on each egg indicate the intentions put into its creation, to be transfered to its recipient upon gifting.

Shipping:

I am a one person shop, so please allow several days for processing orders, as I usually only make it to the post office once or twice a week. I use USPS ground for most shipping, which comes with tracking and insurance up to $50.00 and normally takes 2-5 business days once posted. I will email you the tracking number and estimated arrival date as soon as I have it.

Returns for ORIGINAL pieces:

As a one person practice, I am only able to absorb the cost of return shipping if the item arrives damaged. If this is the case, please take a picture of the damaged item and its original packaging and email me this image for further instructions. If the item arrives in good condition and a return is desired, I can only process returns with pre-approval, so email me right away. As a microbusiness, I unfortunately am unable to absorb the cost of return shipping, but I will refund the original purchase price upon receiving the returned item, in good condition, within 10 days of arrival to you.

Returns for PRINT ON DEMAND items:

I sometimes use third-party print-on-demand services like Printful for items like Tshirts, as it is too expensive for me to keep clothing inventory in stock. If you have any difficulty with these products, there will be instructions to remediate the situation included in the package when you recieve it. If you do have problems with these items, please be sure to loop me in via email so that I can contact them as well on your behalf. I want to make sure that you are 1000% satisfied with your order.

Care for your pieces:

Painted wood items should be kept away from moisture and occasionally wiped down with a dry microfiber dusting cloth. Ceramic items are fairly robust and can be hand washed with water and soap if needed. All items are meant to be seen and used, our ancestors had no word for ‘Art’ as purely an aesthetic exercise. Traditional arts have always been meant to be functional, even when that function is to embody an intention of healing or protection of the home.

Repairing a piece:

If by chance a piece gets broken through frequent use, depending on the damage, I may be able to triage the piece or make suggestions as to how you may be able to fix it yourself. Email me pictures and a description of what’s happened and I’ll do my best to advise or to work out a quote for repair plus shipping.

Commissions:

I am open to inquiries about doing commissioned work, but in my experience, they can be disruptive to the flow of my practice and so I am often reluctant to say yes to them. That said, it never hurts to ask! Email me with your idea and any reference materials and I’ll get back to you as soon as I get a chance to mull it over.

What is the Mni Sota Makoce Honor Tax?

This fund is a way for people who benefit from living on Dakota land to give back to its rightful heirs. “For centuries, the United States worked to exterminate and erase native people and identity. Many of us drive Wabasha Road or travel to Minnehaha Falls or Isanti County without knowing or considering the Dakota origin of these names. Land acknowledgements help center that the past is still present. They are an important start. But they are not the end… No dollar amount can make the Dakota whole. The United States’ theft, swindle, cultural genocide, and war crimes have no price. But those who benefit today from yesterday’s theft can make payments toward the value of the stolen land we occupy.” Visit https://www.mnhonortax.org/ to find out more and make your own contributions.

Please feel free to email additional questions to NestandTessellate@gmail.com.