A Goddess's Keepsake

Oh, hello holidays, my old friend!

I've missed you more than you could imagine!

It has been craAazy these last few weeks but now is time for resting the body, mind and soul.

I want to share an important project I worked on recently.

My good friend approached me with a very special request.

While pregnant with her youngest baby, she made a cast of her goddess belly.

Her husband carefully laid layer upon layer of plaster strips over her torso.

Her 3 young children all placed a piece too, how beautiful!

13 years later she decided it was time to have her dream fulfilled of having it painted.

I was terrified to be honest, when she asked me the honour of doing so!

She knew exactly what she wanted in the design and before long, excitement balanced out my fear and I began sanding the plaster and sketching templates.

I used my templates to create the layout and make adjustments as needed.

My friend was very honest through the whole process, not holding back and telling me if something should be moved over a smidge.

So with the design sketched on and masked over, it was time to begin the colour!

Eek! I cannot tell you how petrified I was to do this step!

But I slathered on the chosen colours and to my hearts relief, it wasn't half bad.

The hours ticked by as I leant over with my brushes, the curtain tickling my feet as the breeze blew in the window.

Despite the pressure of wanting it to be perfect, it was quite relaxing.

Colours blended together.

Texture was applied.

So this was the design she explained and guided me with along the way. 

The cherry blossoms were an afterthought to represent her heritage.

The bottom was going to be lily pads but again, we collaborated and agreed to further the symbolic meaning and incorporate a gecko and koi fish.

Kicking myself for suggesting the koi, I sketched it on and sweated furiously while painting it in.

Id never done any kind of fish before, or used the technique of anything being semi underwater.

But I persevered, made constant touch ups, and completed the detailing.

And then it was done.

It was finished so abruptly I searched it over thinking there was supposed to be more.

This project was such a journey of growth for me. I went outside of my comfort zones and attempted things I hadn't before.

Each brush stroke was filled with heart, soul and concentration.

Every segment in the design symbolises something very special and personal for my friend.

I am so relieved that my friend loves it as much as she does.

As much as I do.

I will be forever grateful that she chose me

🤍🤍🤍