Years ago, I had prepared to showcase a veil dance at the 1996 dance performance at Napa Valley College. However, I could not carry out my original plan due to a back injury. Nevertheless, I did not let go of my passion for dancing. I modified the dance routine by using a green silk skirt as wings instead of the black Middle Eastern-style veil showcased in the pictures below. I named this new version of the dance "A Leaf In The Wind," as it symbolized the uncertainty of life, much like a leaf swaying in the wind, unsure of where it would eventually land.

 

In 2007, I was given a marvelous opportunity to perform the veil dance alongside the Silk Road Caravan troupe at the Northern Renaissance Fair. This momentous occasion allowed me to revive my passion for the veil dance and prove that hope should never be lost. The veil dance symbolizes the importance of shedding our masks and revealing our true selves to progress.

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During my initial dance performance with a black veil inspired by Middle Eastern culture, a dear friend pleasantly surprised me with a silk-dyed veil in a beautiful blood-red color, which flowed gracefully in the wind. This new veil inspired me to try my hand at hand-painting my own. My first creation was a gorgeous sea-green veil, which sparked a fascination with the art of veil painting. I brushed several more veils, each representing the elements of earth, wind, fire, and water.

 

In 2008 I revisited The Northern Renaissance Fair to showcase "The Dance of the Veils," using a freshly painted veil each week. During this time, I had the pleasure of meeting the skilled photographer Ron Bruess, who expertly captured the veils' movements in hundreds of stunning still images. I hope that these images will serve as inspiration for many others.