I know what you’re thinking: “Lana, why are you bringing up something so sad?” While grief isn’t an easy topic to discuss, I want to share something special that has helped me through difficult times and may help others.
Growing up, I experienced a great deal of loss, both with pets and people I loved. To me, each loss carried equal weight in my heart. The most therapeutic thing I began to do was make art to remember my loved ones. One of the first memorial pieces I ever created was a sculpture of my beloved dog, Nala. She loved running through the fallen leaves on windy autumn days, so I recreated that memory inside a snow globe using clay and miniature leaves. It became more than a sculpture; it became a way to hold onto a treasured memory.
As I got older, I experienced more loss, including the unexpected passing of my mom. Losing her impacted my life in ways that are difficult to put into words. She was my biggest supporter, cheering me on in everything I did, most notably in my art. My mom was always amazed at the level of care and effort I put into each piece, even in the smallest details that others might not notice. She would get so excited to see what I would create next, especially when it came to sculpting animals.
If it hadn’t been for her encouragement, I never would have had the opportunity to try different art mediums, including polymer clay.
Creating after such a devastating loss is never easy. It took me a while to get back to crafting with clay, but I knew she would want me to keep doing something that made me so happy. Looking back, I’m grateful I did. I managed to keep up with sculpting, not just as a hobby, but as part of my business.
Around that same time, I also pursued a longtime dream of attending mortuary college. While my mom wasn’t thrilled about the idea, seeing it as something where I would be surrounded by so much sadness, she understood how meaningful it was to me. More than anything, she knew how much I wanted to be there for people during the most difficult moments of their lives.
Alongside studying, I kept myself busy with clay projects. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that my own grief was too overwhelming to continue with my education for the time being. This was not an easy decision for me. I felt guilty giving up something I had worked so hard for, but I knew it was the right decision. Although I stepped away from that path, I knew two things were still true: I wanted to help others navigate their own grief, and I loved working with clay. In the end, I found a way to do both through my artwork.
I began taking requests for pet sculptures. For the longest time, I found sculpting animals and pets daunting. It still can be, but I find it far more rewarding, in my opinion, to challenge myself. Many of the pet sculptures I’ve created have been of beloved companions who are no longer with their families. Although I may not have gotten the pleasure to meet many of the animals I sculpt, I feel like I know them from all of the sweet stories, memories, and photos shared with me.
Every pet has a story, a personality, and a special place in someone’s heart. Being able to take a block of clay and turn it into a lasting reminder of that bond is an incredible honor. From the clay sculpture to the painted details, I put in the utmost effort and respect into each memorial piece I create as if it were of my own companion. Each sculpture can take me hours to days of hand-on work, often spread over the course of weeks or even months, because I want to make ure that I capture every detail just right.
While nothing can replace a loved one, human or animal, I hope my sculptures can provide a small sense of comfort.
If my experiences have taught me anything, it's that love doesn't disappear when someone is gone. Sometimes, art can help us keep those memories and loved ones close.