What a Stranger Left Behind

In early May, I was part of AmplifyHER — a celebration of women vendors, arts, and community here in Fort Wayne. I brought a table, some colored pencils, markers, and an invitation.

The invitation was simple: take a moment to create.

I offered two options. Pre-cut paper shapes from the Weave of Life project — if you wanted to draw or write something and see it join the growing canvas right there, in real time. Or uncut paper — if you wanted to make something that might travel further, into the larger installation still taking shape.

Some people walked past. Some paused, looked, and kept moving. That’s okay. Not every moment is the right moment.

But the ones who stayed? They dove in. Completely. In the middle of a busy event, surrounded by music and vendors and movement, they found a few quiet minutes to make something with their hands. Several told me they needed it — that they hadn’t realized how much until they started.

A few said “I can’t do art” before they picked up a pencil.

I told them what I’ve come to believe: you don’t have to be good at art for it to be good for you.

This panel — Joyful Leaf — was made by one of those people. I don’t know their name. I don’t know their story. What I know is what they left behind: bold black lines, bright pink and purple marks, yellow and green scattered through encaustic wax that now holds it all together permanently.

It’s loud and joyful and completely their own.

And now it’s part of something larger than that afternoon.

That’s what Weave of Life is, at its core. Not just my work. Not just my story. A place where a stranger’s five minutes of courage becomes something that lasts.

Weave of Life is a long-term, large-scale installation growing panel by panel, story by story. If you’d like to follow along, subscribe above. If you’re interested in bringing a community Weave of Life experience to your organization, I’d love to talk — reach out at nancy@nancyfritzart.com