A couple of people asked me recently in separate occasions what drives me when I make. And both times I said, honestly thinking about it every time, that it is the story. I know when something is complete when the story comes together. Most of the time I don't know the story before I start making, although often I have a hint, a word, an image, an item that I want to work with, and I don't stop working until I'm satisfied. And what satisfies me, is the story that connects the dots.

In fact, once I'm satisfied, I usually keep on working. It is exactly at that point that I start working even harder, very intentionally, feverishly, because I see the path and I'm decided to follow it. This is what happened with the sculpted creature here.

I knew I wanted texture, an extra sculptured element. I had a background image that had developed through a process of trial and error until it made sense. There was some space that asked for attention. I added a blob, it looked shinny and interesting, but it was not enough. I already had at that point the general idea of a creature protecting the figure (or at least what I saw as a figure) in the background, so then I intently started working towards making it clear, at least to me. And since I had a story, once the image was complete I felt the need to enhance it with a poem, heroic and just a tiny bit cheesy, like a pure heart. 

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The painting is 20x20, acrylic on canvas (including the 3D elements) and just a bit of mixed media.

I will protect you

I will protect you

from the thing

that tails you through

wind and rain.

From what finds you

in the sun

and drags you

back below. I will

be the guard

dog, the watcher, the 

catcher, the shield

the amulet, the one

you touched

and did not hurt.