The process begins with storytelling, and the symbols of power found in ourselves and nature. Utilizing the historical use of narrative in tapestries, Crystal Latimer looks to “Wild West'' iconography as a starting point. After researching vintage photographs of cowgirls, she was struck by the sense of self that these brazen women personified; existing in an environment of macho sensibility. Therefore the cowgirl , as an icon, is a symbol of one’s emotional interior landscape and the reclaiming of perceived traditional masculinity. She is meant to encourage the viewer to explore their own “Wild West”; new frontiers, new experiences, a new sense of self. 

Inspired by folklore, literature, and the mystical symbolism of indigenous cultures, the artist uses animal icons to represent a dormant aspect of oneself that is waiting to be awakened and reclaimed. Some icons are chosen for what they represent metaphorically. For example, the heron is a symbol of patience and introspection. The jaguar of will and guardianship. Bears represent trust. “If I use a bear that is depicted in a fierce nature, I find it interesting to combine the visual vocabulary; with the translation now meaning to be fiercely trusting with yourself. It’s all very poetic,” says Latimer.  

KEEPSAKES can be distilled down to a poetic portrayal of visual affirmation. These motifs are then elevated by reinforcing concepts of value and finery that are common in language of the home. Flocking, a wallpaper technique popularized in the 18th century, is a popular process used by the artist. Patterns alluding to ornate tilework and wallpaper. 24k gold is also utilized, recalling Baroque and Rococo use of gilding in architecture. The use of processes like these, alongside the conduit of a tapestry, help to reinforce meaning of the motifs in the work and root them in art and architectural history.