It has been a little over a year since I sculpted Shelter. This sculpture was a bit of a breakthrough for me. I knew I wanted to be a figure sculptor but at this point I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do and say with my art. There is nothing wrong with sculpting something simply because it is beautiful. There are many artists who do wonderful work that do just that. However, I wanted to do something more. I wanted my work to mean something and to say something, yet up until this point my work didn’t really say much at all. It was beautiful work! But didn’t say much.
The concept for Shelter came because I wanted to say something. I wanted to portray an emotion. I wanted to sculpt part of myself into my work. And because I did those things, people connected with my work on a deeper level than ever before.
Here is the first image of Shelter which I first posted to facebook.
Shelter portrays a strong woman in the midst of a storm. She is bearing through the storm that rages on behind her. Hunching over and learning to shield (or Shelter) herself from the storm.
I chose to show her elevated to represent her ability to rise above the storm and overcoming her trials.
This concept comes from some women in my life who were metaphorically in their own storm. I see these women learning and growing stronger from their trials and although they will never be the same when the storm subsides that is not necessarily a bad thing.
I love this sculpture because it speaks to me. I feel something every time I see it. It motivates me to persist a little longer, and bear through my own storms (although small) and grow from them.
I hope that you can be inspired by this work also. To not only see the things that I do but to see more. To feel the sculpture talking to you and helping you through your personal storms.
Recently I had this sculpture cast in bronze. The limited edition of 19 is available to purchase on my website at this link.
This sculpture was just the start. I have made many sculptures since then that depict different emotions and each have their own story. I hope you will get involved with my artwork. If you are able to purchase the artwork great. If not, please follow along with my progress as an artist and hear the stories behind my pieces.
What do you think. What does Shelter say to you?
