Blessed Hands

29/04/2026

Meet “Gaffey”! Another handcrafted Blessed Hands stuffed toy for the baby in your life! Inspired by her love for her grandchildren. Email [email protected] if you’d like one!

01/02/2026

Back in the studio and the layers keep building. Blessed Hands is deep in the creative process and this piece is evolving with every cut, every fiber, every stitch.

This work is being prepared for exhibition in the coming months, and the story behind it runs deep. You are watching identity, history, and legacy take form in real time.

Notice the garments and color story. Purple and blue. These tones have long been associated with knowledge, dignity, scholarship, and leadership. Royal hues. Intellectual presence. Cultural refinement.

He is already three feet tall, and the full piece will stand close to five feet when complete. Believe it or not, he was the easiest part. The background is where the complexity lives, layered quilting, intricate detail, movement, and depth. Another gateway inspired work for me. My goal is to keep him strong and clear, while the detailed background makes him shine even more.

The FIRST person who correctly guesses who this piece represents will receive the very FIRST signed print from the limited edition collection once the work is accepted. My plan is to do a few more pics of the background once I start but not both together because the complete real must occur during the exhibition. Btw, we have already had a couple people very close with their guesses.

New hint.
Think of a civilization known for centers of learning, advanced science, architecture, and art during a time when much of Europe was still finding its way. Think North Africa meeting Iberia. Think scholars, explorers, and influence that reached courts, universities, and even Shakespeare’s stage.

Drop your guesses below and follow the journey. This story is bigger than a portrait.

29/01/2026

I am in the studio and focused. Blessed Hands is creating something powerful and you get to watch it come to life.

Follow the creative process from the first layer to the final reveal. This piece is being prepared for exhibition in the coming months, and this one carries real presence.

Here is the fun part. The FIRST person who correctly guesses who this piece represents will receive the very FIRST signed print from the limited edition collection. Yes, the very first one.

Prints will be released shortly after the piece is accepted into exhibition, so you are getting early access energy.

Hint. A face that represents a people whose influence crossed continents long before modern maps.

Drop your guesses below and follow the journey. You can continue to guess as I post and when someone guesses correctly I will announce the winner. Let’s see who really knows Blessed Hands.

Progress: Adding 💯 wool and chiffon for dimension and texture. Can you see it?

12/01/2026

Happy New Year!!!

Someone asked me on New Year’s Day if I was still out here creating. Short answer, yes. Long answer, artists need mental breaks, creative breaks, soul resets. I took last summer off, which rolled right into fall, but guess what, I’m back in the studio now.

Inspiration doesn’t always show up on demand. Especially when your mind and eyes feel overloaded. But lately, between a few exhibits and some real life moments, the spark is coming back. So yes, I’m here. I’m back. I’m easing into my groove again.

Feeling rested, refreshed, and lowkey excited. Ready to put ideas on paper, then scissors to fabric. Stay tuned. Blessings on blessings. Let’s create.

Here is where my mind has been…Some words of truth and inspiration lately:

Abstract, abstract, abstract
Black cowboys and cowgirls
Strong men
Broken parts, picking up my pieces (really deep on my heart)
Harlem Renaissance
Blue black (carried forward from “Ascension”)
Gigaboo
Street art
And more….

22/10/2025

Janette Underwood-Holland

14/10/2025

29/07/2025

30/06/2025

02/05/2025

Janette Holland, Fiber Artist
“Ascension”, 2025, 38”x 44” cotton fiber art

“Ascension” is a powerful visual narrative of ancestry, identity, and ascension. The regal portrait of a Black woman, adorned with a crown, serves as a representation of resilience, cultural pride, and spiritual elevation.
Symbolism of Ancestors & Ascension:
1. Crown of Ancestors – The silhouetted figures atop the crown resemble ancestral spirits, guiding and supporting the woman. They symbolize the wisdom, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before, resting like a celestial council above her head.
2. Dripping Ancestral Energy – The fluid, dripping colors extending down the figure evoke the presence of ancestral energies flowing through her. Subtitled “Through blood, sweat and tears”, the woman is embedded in the drips suggest spirits ascending and descending, representing the interconnectedness of past, present, and future.
3. Spiritual Elevation – The woman”s upward-tilted face and the interplay of rich, contrasting colors give the impression of ascension—rising above pain, embracing inherited strength, and stepping into divine purpose. The golden halo-like headwrap reinforces this sense of enlightenment and transcendence.
4. Sacred Connection – The intricate stitching and layered fabrics create a tactile depth, reflecting the layered nature of ancestral knowledge and lived experiences. The textured background, reminiscent of the celestial or ethereal plane, further emphasizes the spiritual dimension of this piece.
5. Hidden Symbols – African Queen, Warrior Princess, Drum, Adinkra (Sankofa, Aya Fren, Ese Ne Tekrema, Akoben War Horn, Nsoromma “Star” )
Ascension tells a story of ancestral guidance, self-discovery, and the eternal journey toward higher consciousness. It is a testament to the unbreakable bond between past and future generations, honoring the legacy of those who paved the way.