My artwork will be a 3d sculpture, completed in cement clay, with possible touches of mosaic and bronze patinas. It will stand approx 24″ square and approx 36-40″ high. It will be on an integrated base, approx 24″ square x approx 2″ high.
“Suspended Motion” depicts a frog leaping from the water, reaching toward a dragonfly just beyond. The sculpture captures a brief instant of movement in stillness — the pause within the motion. It serves as a reminder to notice and be present in each moment, however fleeting.

My contemplative practice is always reminding myself to slow down and truly observe my surroundings. Being present for the beautiful surprises that life offers. The act of sculpting requires that same attentive presence — contemplating the design, studying the form, shaping each gesture, and staying with the process moment by moment. I learn so much along the way, about myself, my subject and how far I can push and explore.

I recently moved back to Virginia and have a small creek in my wooded back yard. I also have a pond just beyond my patio, which was home to a pair of Green Frogs this spring, and who I could listen to in the evenings. I was able to deeply observe these beautiful creatures, and, while they are no longer living at my pond, they have left hundreds of tadpoles that I now get to watch grow. It reminds me of my childhood when we would find tadpoles and watch them grow and develop into frogs. They have always been a source of wonder and joy for me.

Reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek has been a good reminder for me to slow down and notice the details in nature that might otherwise pass by. Dillard’s reflections on light, movement, and the fleeting beauty of the natural world resonate strongly with my own observations. Being back in Virginia, surrounded by woods and waterways has been a beautiful immersive experience back in nature. It’s such a contrast from my childhood growing up in the plains of Nebraska.

One question that stays near me is: How do we hold onto presence and mildfulness in a world that is always in motion? This work has made me consider how even in the midst of movement, there can be stillness — and how art can help capture and share that experience.
My goal with my artwork is to help others see what may otherwise be overlooked. I am grateful for the opportunity to pause time, and capture moments with my sculpture.

In the process of creating this work, I’ve been reminded why I make art in the first place — to inspire curiosity and wonder, and to invite others to see the world with fresh eyes. Observing frogs and dragonflies has shown me how much joy can be found in small, fleeting moments. Translating that into sculpture has been both playful and contemplative. This piece has taught me that fun, discovery, and presence are just as essential to my creative practice as the finished form itself.

N/A

DCJ – Okay to Pay
$500
30065-2010
Percent for Art
9/24/25
Supplier number 8654