Here's A Little Secret...
An artist often has many sources of inspiration.
In my creative life I’ve been directly inspired and influence by the animals in my life - dogs, cats and horses mostly - as well as wildlife. When I was a child I wanted to be a marine biologist (thanks Jacques Cousteau!), a vet, a person who worked with wild chimpanzees and gorillas (thanks Jane Goodall!) or worked in a zoo. I wanted to safari in the wilds of Africa and study elephants, gazelle, giraffe, zebra and lions - and cheetah!
Of course, one can’t grow up and be and do allll those things.
But they all form a foundation for my creative inspiration.
Added to these aspects of the animal kingdom, I have four children (who are all now adults) who formed the foundation for my Why, my motivation, my muse.
So as I begin sculpting this collection of tiny animal portraits my initial inspiration is creating a tiny collection of creatures that represent my family.
Owls - my daughter, who adores raptors and worked as a volunteer at a raptor conservation and rescue centre
Lion - my eldest son, who had a lion puppet from infancy that he carried with him continuously for years.
Bear - my middle son, for whom I used to tell stories about his adventures with a wild bear he met in the forest
Wolf - my youngest son, who has a fierce sense of individuality.
Bear - my husband’s nickname from his childhood.
Me? Well, a horse is most obvious. But my family knows me as a tiger when it comes to defending them.
Little Wolf Sculpture, awaiting the kiln
1.25" x 1"
Ceramic - white stoneware
I often write short poems or prose to try to capture my thoughts and feelings about one of my subjects as I create. I’m not usually brave enough to share them but lately I’m trying to be a bit more courageous.
Here is a little poem that I wrote, trying to encapsulate my interior response to the incredible beauty and life of my wild subject.
Silver Wolf Sculpted Pendant Poem:
Song of the wild heart
Sung to the moon
Song of the wild wind
Song filled with longing
Song of the wild lands
Sung to my waiting heart
***
Little Wolf Sculpture, awaiting the kiln
1.25" x 1"
Ceramic - white stoneware
It takes many hours to sculpt these miniature animal portraits. Perhaps I’ll get a bit quicker, the more of them I do. But for now I am relishing the silent focus and the calm in my mind and spirit as I work. The term “hyperfocus” is quite accurate when it comes my process. It’s an incredible gift and an exquisite sense of peace while I’m in this state of flow. Thanks be to God for this difference in my mind that I once used to rue.
So if you want to keep in touch, follow the progress and be informed when this little collection will be released into the wild please join my Studio Friends email list (below). I don’t email often and you are always welcome to come check out my blog or reach out and chat.
~ Renée