"Prediction Series"

This blog depicts works in progress. To view completed works by this artist, go to: www.lesliemartinart.com

I have began making a series of sculptural prints called Prediction Series, which discuss how we as Oklahomans have used nature as a foretelling tool for our daily lives. There will be four prints in total, which correlate with the four seasons, the four moon phases, and the four archetypes females transition through in life.

 Persimmon season was ending just as I got the idea to expose the seeds to foretell our Oklahoma winter weather. My uncle lives in a rural area and scavenged persimmons from a tree on his property for my endeavors. While young persimmons are commonly very bitter to taste, these were overripe, sweet, and extremely delicious.

 After washing the seeds, I carefully sliced them to reveal their delicate waxy innards. After exposing one seed, I was confident and correct in that all would reveal the exact same prediction: a spoon, which means we will be shoveling heaps of wet snow this winter. 

 Growing up each fall, my cousins and I would find persimmons on our grandparents land, eat them, and take the seeds to our grandmother's house to open. Persimmon seed forecasting was taught to me and my cousins by my grandmother.

 Prediction Series: Shoveling Snow

persimmon seeds, soil, framed mat

(2017- in progress)

22x22x2"

Another print from Prediction Series conveys a method Oklahomans have used to find water, well witching. During a research trip last year, I witnessed a young family using this method to pinpoint where to drill a well for their new home.

Prediction Series: Witching for Water

willow branch, soil, framed mat

(2017-in progress)

22x22x2"