Through a Grandson's eyes

My son Daniel, has 2 sons….  Grant, who is 4 years old, and Brooks, who is 2.  They are very, very busy boys….  Most Sundays, Daniel brings his boys over to play and have dinner with us..  we are so thankful for this time with our son and grandsons.  Last Sunday, I had read Grant a book about dinosaurs, which he enjoyed..  Then later, as we were having our dinner, he was looking at a circle sculpture in the center of the table.  Grant doesn't really understand that I make these things, but he was quite focused on it….  then he said that it looked just like a Tyrannosaurus Rex!  And you know what?  It really does…  so the name of this piece is now "T'Rex"…  love it….so.. I can't figure out how to put the picture of it in this blog, but it is in the gallery under circle sculpture----T'Rex!

Winds of Change Series….

This series started for me from a picture, a dear friend who was very ill cut out of a magazine…  The picture was of a girl, happy, beautiful, hair flying, and I loved how she looked.  My friend lost her battle with cancer, and I had the image of the picture stuck in my head, so I decided to create a series of work called the "Winds of Change"..  The sculptures all have similar faces, in different circumstances, and I try to capture the elements within them…   Earth, fire, water and air.  The final piece has a quote that is somewhat obscured but is this…   You cannot change the wind, the seasons, or the circumstances... you can only change yourself.  And how true that is...

One of the girls is called Mariah…   and I really liked how she turned out, so I decided to make her again and have her bronzed.  My first time venturing in to that arena…  very expensive, but I think worth it.  I have never been a fan of the pure bronze look, so I use a lot of patina.. different chemicals applied to the bronze and blowtorched to give a different effect. I have enjoyed exploring this group, but am now glad to be done with them..

Thoughts on Symbolism

I am interested in the figure and spiritual being that is represented by it..  I work primarily in clay using the human form as an expression of the spiritual being that dwells within.  My figures represent people who are changed through life experiences - their struggles, joys, and journeys.  What is reflected is not what society would deem beautiful: their beauty is one of dignity, courage and strength.  I use symbolism in my work to convey those emotions.  

The Butterfly-

The symbolic lesson of the butterfly is to accept the changes in our lives as casually as she does.  The butterfly unquestioningly embraces the changes of her environment and her body.  To take this analogy a step further, we can look again to the grace and eloquence of the butterfly and realize that our journey is our only guarantee.  Our responsibility to make our way in faith, accept the change that comes, and emerge from our transitions as brilliantly as the butterfly.

The Birds-

Birds are symbolic of a rebirth or the beginning of a new idea..  It is a gateway to new opportunities, and refers to patient outlook toward life.  It is also symbolic of growth in personal and spiritual life.  It also symbolizes selfless and sacrificing nature of the individual.

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all"--Emily Dickinson

The Open Heads-

With some of my figurative sculptures, I leave the head open….   to symbolize the acceptance  and letting in of information.  She is receptive to the world and all it's glory.

The Circle-

The circle symbol meaning is universal, sacred and divine.  It represents the infinite nature of energy, and the inclusivity of the universe.  There is a relationship between he silhouette of a circle and its link to the interior.