Women of Strength Sculptures
Where do I begin with these sculptures? They are so close to my heart.
The idea for these Women of Strength sculptures was sent to me from Above at a time when I needed reminding that I, indeed, had the strength needed – I just had to recognize it!
How do I know? I was recovering from surgery and thankfully my mind was quieter than usual (in order to be a good listener). Lying in bed, God said, “go make these for yourself”. I began the sketching process and life came to the clay. I joke that it took surgery to quiet me down enough to hear what He had been trying to say! If you know me at all, you know I’m a talker.
Once I began sculpting one, it turned into a grouping. “Gaggle of women” is what I love to call them. Honestly, though, my favorite part of the process is when they are all gathered together building each other up. They seem to gather strength from one other as each individual sculpture is formed. I know I am personifying them, but that is the feeling that is going on in my studio at the time. Can’t explain it.
Each one is different – just like us. Some are easy to form, and some are difficult – just like us.
Here is the fun part: How they “speak” to me to build up my own appreciation of the correlation of our Lord speaking to me in a simple sculpture….
They are formed out of a lump of clay (Isaiah 64:8)
They all have the word 'STRENGTH" hand stamped along their back.
They are put through the fires (to strengthen) (Isaiah 48:10)
When firing in my kiln, they all face one another in a “prayer circle”.
They are stained (Romans 3:23)
They are washed clean (Leviticus 16:30)
They are dressed for their final appearance (Isaiah 61:10)
They are sent to the fires again (Psalm 12:6) …again, in their “prayer circle”
And…. Recognizing the strength we have within
Isaiah 41:10 Deuteronomy 31:6 Isaiah 40:31 Exodus 15:2 Ephesians 6:10 1 Corinthians 10:13 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Psalm 73:26
I didn’t gather the Biblical references until a few years ago. When asked, I was describing these things about the stages of their development from a lump of clay to a finished product. Finally, my sister said “you really need to write this down so that others can enjoy the process as much as you”.
So, now you know. They are close to my heart. I will make them forever!
Thank you for being a part of my art process…..