Why & how did I start sculpting Memorial Keepsakes....
I have my BA in psychology, not Art....I never thought of myself as an Artist....But here I am.
When I starting sculpting back in April of 2006 I did it for me -- no one else. I thought of my new found hobby as odd and very private, I mean good God how many people do you know that sculpt babies out of clay?
I'm glad that my work has got you thinking --- but I want to let you know the passion to why I do what I do. Sculpting helps my grief --- it calms my soul. From the moment I break off that first chunk of clay I think about my daughter Madison and how she would be 8 now. I think about the "what if's"...I think about how her body felt when I held her in my arms....I relive all of those moments that I took for granted not knowing that her life would end at 16 months old. I allow those repressed thoughts to come bubbling forth, and I embrace them. (For me these thoughts have to be kept at bay so that I am able to function a normal life with my children & husband. So sculpting has become my outlet.) And when the piece is completed, I'm emotionally drained but I feel better even if it's temporay and only lasts a few days or a month.
And instead of keeping these naked babies in a box in my attic for my grandchildren to discover after my death -- I instead offer my services to other families who might want them. I don't push, I don't promote--- I just let things happen on their own. Think of it like this: They have a path....sculpting lets me loose myself in my work for awhile. I'm able to think about Maddie and really focus my energy on her...and then I'm done. A stopping point. BUT instead of packing it away it moves on....to another family who needs it. Someone who needs to have something else that represents their passed baby --- a knick-knack of sorts. Small enough to be tucked away in a drawer and kept private until an emotional collapse....My work is just as selfish as it is giving.
It's not Art for Art's sake --- it's art for the heart.
(Created in Memory of Owen & Wyatt - born too soon at 16 weeks)
It is because of this path that I do not charge for these pieces -- For how can you put a price tag on something that is priceless???? And how can I charge someone for something that I would do even if there wasn't a demand for it? All Memorial pieces are in lew of a donation for my supplies so that the hobby pays for itself, and it will be around for all that need it. I am not out there to make money off of your loss.
If you would like to make a donation to my work you can do so through paypal - Thank you.