Here is the inspiration image for my newest sculpture.
The vision for this sculpture emerged from a deeply personal and touching dream experienced by my brother’s widow, Pamela, on the very eve of my mother’s passing.
On March 5, 2024, at the age of 98, my mother left this earthly realm while enjoying breakfast tea in her memory-care dining room. Her departure was peaceful, free from the final stages of Alzheimer’s, a disease she had lived with for nearly two decades. Rather than suffering through its ultimate grips, her heart gently stopped, leading to a peaceful transition.
Upon receiving the news, family members quickly reached out to each other. My sister informed my niece, who then called Pamela. Pamela was taken aback because she had dreamt of Mom’s passing just the night before.
Pamela and Patrick, July 1992.
Pamela’s dream depicted Patrick, her late husband who departed this life in 1994 at the age of 37, visiting our old family home. In this vivid dream, Patrick came to help Mom pack, a task he was busy with, only pausing to affirm he had a job to do. The dream concluded with Patrick leading Mom by the hand out of our front door, both seemingly embarking on a new journey together.
Inspired by Pamela’s dream, I reached out to her for a detailed recount of that concluding image. On a Zoom call, she described Patrick reaching back with his right hand as Mom reached forward with hers. With her guidance, I adjusted my clay sketches to reflect the positions. Here are the preliminary sketch photos.
Pamela also provided an inspiring image to steer this creative endeavor.
This is an early sketch of the idea.
Creating this artwork was a true family collaboration. Brothers Steve, Don, and Robert, alongside Becky and I, participated in multiple photo sessions to refine the composition. Don generously posed for Patrick’s hand, and Jacob, Patrick’s son, supplied invaluable photos for capturing an age-appropriate final look of his father’s hand. The process transformed into a family affair, even involving Mom’s brother Edward before his passing. During a family call, when previewing my initial sketch, Edward coined the name, “Heaven’s Guide.” Thank you all for your contribution to this creation.
Drawing from my own hand size for Mom’s, I was convinced of its accuracy since we had compared hand sizes for an earlier project. Numerous photographs of Mom’s hand guided me through the detailing process. However, it wasn’t until I began refining the final touches that I truly appreciated the contrasts between her gentle, aged hands and my own.
Crafting this piece summoned a flood of emotion. Numerous photos depicted Mom and me hand in hand, reminding me of her soft skin and exquisite long fingernails. (Although blue wasn’t her favorite color.)
Here are images of the clay version of “Heaven’s Guide.”
The journey to a finished bronze sculpture entails a 3 to 4-month wait involving molding, wax casting, bronze pouring, and finally patina, and base work. Once it is complete, I promise to share its bronze beauty.
This creation not only pays tribute to my loved ones but serves as a profound platform for healing. The pain of Patrick’s loss, who tragically died by suicide, left enduring scars longing for healing within our family. Today’s openness surrounding mental health wasn’t prevalent in the 90s, and one can’t help but wonder if such awareness back then might have altered Patrick’s trajectory.
Perhaps this new vision of Patrick accompanying Mom to heaven will offer solace and aid in healing. Thank you, Pamela, for sharing this dream with us. Looking back, maybe “Healing Hands” would have been a fitting name for this testament of love and reconciliation.
Beautiful tribute and sculpture
Thanks Mona
Fantastic!!!
Thanks Beth
INice! I can only imagine the difficulty of sculpting hands.
They are challenging, but it seems to be one of my specialties.
Thanks
Beautiful work! My dear mother-in-law Jean was a second and much nicer mother to me ani I loved and admired her and was able to experience a closeness with a mom that I never got to with my own. I have made quite a study of what happens when people transition into the afterlife and what life is like for our spirit there. Many of these stories involve family members “coming to get” their loved ones for the transition back to the beautiful and peaceful love filled place that is out true home. We are just visitors here. I felt great joy when I heard that Mom finally transitioned, knowing that she would have her full sparkling mind back, a youthful body again and be with all of her loved ones who have passed over. I know she will be in my greeting committee when I pass myself as I loved her very much. Thank you for making this wonderful tribute to her! You are a truly wonderful artist!
Wow. Thanks for sharing this sentiment.
Thank you for sharing this story of your inspiration. The work is beautiful and even more so knowing the entire story.
Thanks so much Becky.