"The Embrace"
Shrine 20" tall by 13-1/2" wide

The "face" is sculpted in polyform clay, fired, painted and then layered with a very thin layer of transparent clay and fired again. I then placed a veil of antique silk netting over the face. The features as a result of this technique are very soft and a bit "other worldly".

The face is first surrounded by 11 amethyst crystal points, with swarovski crystal rhinestones placed inbetween each point. I then added points of beige abalone shards, each with a swarovski crystal rhinestone. The next layer surrounding her face is made up of shards of mirror points and the closest layer to the base is plum colored mirror shards. Tiny silver micro beads are used in the design.
Radiating out from the mirror shard points are purple beads on twisted wires. From there I have added a width of tiny pearlized sea shells. And then the outer aura is made up of white pearlized abalone points.

The "arms" that make up "The Embrace" ( these pieces also give the feeling of a cross ) are made of a strong metal with a patina of aged bronze. They are antique pieces that I have collected over the years. The name of this piece "Embrace" comes from the way these arms bend out and towards the face and seem to pull the viewer into the soul of this piece, as if to embrace the viewer....as if to hold...and to forgive.

Within each arm and around the lower part of the "head" of the shrine, I have used rusted metal ornamental pieces. Upon the metal pieces...the arms and the ornamental pieces...I have placed lights of swarovski rhinestones.

The design on the base is made up of a mosaic of mirror tiles. The center row is a strip of plum mirror tiles. The row on either side is silver mirror tiles and then the rows on either side of the mirrors are purple iridescent tiles. The grout holding the tiles in are embellished with silver micro beads. The mirror tiles are framed by strips of the same tiny pearlized shells that I used around the face.
The sides of the piece have a patterned layer of clay,
and into it is pressed antique silver-grey netting lace.
The back of the piece is adorned by an applique of plum/purple sequins and beads.

There is a single row of plum mirror tiles running down the back, framed by a row, on either side of silver mirror tiles and then framed with strips of the tiny pearlized shells.
This piece is about atonement, unconditional love, and peace.

For almost 2000 years an ikon or Shrine has been an object of contemplation.
Personal shrines are a way to acknowledge and affirm the sacred in our lives.
Shrines hold the power to make us forget our everyday cares and help to center us.
This power exists because Shrines touch the deepest part of ourselves.

"The Embrace" $675.