This piece speaks to me. I have always wanted to say that! But seriously, if you look closely, you can see the silhouette of a woman standing tall like a tree – in her community, in her village, in her home – where her roots run deep, drawing her strength from all that surrounds her. There is a child-like figure at her feet, reaching up to her as a mother, a mentor, a friend. She is there to nurture, and guide, and love. There is a hustle and bustle of people and activity all around her, but she remains grounded and steadfast, a beacon to those who need her. She is their refuge, their hope, their joy, always at the ready to give of herself and of her heart. If you look just a tiny bit closer, and to the right, you can see the silhouette of another woman, sharing her strength and love in her community, in her village, in her home.

The artist, Shannon Walton, describes herself as a woman who wears many hats, and is many things to many people, but in all things, she is essentially woman. She created the pieces in this collection as a tribute to the women who have influenced her life, and to give homage to their quiet strength. She arranged the display to symbolize a “gathering of women” – this speaks to a special bond that exists among women who gather in a spirit of love and support. In a moment of retrospect, Shannon notes that she often finds her own strength and comfort in these gatherings.

Here is an excerpt from her Artist’s Statement that explains the collection:

I have created clay vessels that resemble the figure of a woman. Like women, each piece is different in both proportion and size although the general shape of each piece is similar. I’ve focused on accentuating the main features that makes a woman’s body different from a man’s – wide, curvy hips, concave waist, and plump breasts. These vessels have become a tribute to those women who have influenced and impacted my life.

Here’s another look at the collection and the artist. If you’d like to find out more about her work send me an Owl Gram and I will gladly pass it along.