Artist: Phyllis Mantik deQuevedo
Title: Shine on Me
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 30"h x 9"w
Inspired by the Clematis - Several years ago my husband strategically planted a Clematis vine outside a window that leads down a hall from our entryway. It is always one of the first plants to shoot straight up with a fringe of green on top of the vine followed soon by a cascade of blue-purple blossoms that fills the windowpane. It can really be quite breathtaking. Although it's still my favorite, we have since added more varieties and colors of clematis to the garden. I love to see the delicate tendrils stretching upwards to the sun shaking off the last of the cooler weather.
"Shine on Me" is inspired by the Clematis flower and features a three-dimensional sculpture of a female figure in a dynamic, upward-reaching pose. The sculpture is elegantly crafted, depicting a woman with her right arm fully extended overhead, fingers gracefully splayed, and her left arm bent with her hand touching her forearm. Her face tilts slightly skywards, suggesting a sense of aspiration. The figure's attire is a flowing dress that clings to her form, detailed with wrinkles and folds that suggest movement. The lower part of the dress seems to morph into organic floral shapes, creating a visual connection between the figure and these natural elements. The color palette of the sculpture is subtle yet varied, with the dress primarily in muted lavender and gray tones, while the natural elements at the bottom display shades of green. The sculpture appears to be perched atop a simple circular base, which aids in its presentation. The overall impression is one of elegance and harmony between humanity and nature.