Windstone EditionsAt the heart of every piece created by master sculptor M. Peña is the artist's passion for living creatures. This passion, coupled with a lifelong study of animal behavior and anatomy, and an astonishing gift for three-dimensional art, results in sculpture so intriguing and lifelike it is without equal.Growing up in California, Peña surrounded herself with animals. Keeping more than two dozen aquariums in her childhood bedroom, a pet toad in a wastebasket, and a chicken in a bucket, her collection of pets soon became the subjects of her artwork. In college, Peña studied biology and zoology in addition to painting, drawing, and sculpture. Today, the artist is never far from her animals. Her glass-walled studio is surrounded by a veritable nature preserve: from parakeets and ponies, to iguanas, tortoises, and llamas. These creatures are the living well from which Peña draws inspiration... the models for the incredibly accurate detail in her work. Forming the Feminine Spirit Born in the countryside not far from Zurich, Switzerland, Maya Hill spent her childhood connected to nature and the wild. At age 16, in answer to an inner calling for consciousness, she lived for a year at a Catholic monastery in Belgium working as a kitchen maid in exchange for French lessons. She returned to Switzerland to spend four years studying podiatry and anatomy and then, on a trip to Paris, was discovered by a talent agent and began a career in fashion modeling. Internationally successful at age 23 she traveled the globe working in cities such as Milan, Tokyo, and Munich, always carrying a lump of oil-based clay in her makeup bag to create small sculptures between photo shoots. Weary of the fast-paced and often superficial world of modeling, and seeking a deeper meaning in life, Maya enrolled at the Heartwood Institute of Healing Arts in Garberville, California. Here, in the study of massage and polarity therapy, she found a kinship of spirit in her work and the seed of her creative expression. Drawing from the world of fashion and beauty, her training in anatomy and body work, an understanding of the energetic principals and laws in nature, and, ultimately, the embracing of motherhood, Maya creates her own unique portrayal of the feminine spirit. Maya Hill’s sculptures are spiritual, symbolic forms that gently remind us to nurture the feminine side throughout life’s journey. She lives with her family on 40 rural acres outside Nevada City, California. Windstone Editions Figurines HighlightsWindstone Dragon Figurines :Windstone dragons figurines are cast in mineral stone, handpainted, and feature glass eyes. The Spectral and Rising Spectal dragons' eyes are crystal and have a reflective coating that creates a mysterious glow, even in low light. Each and every scale, claw, wingtip, and tail is perfectly sculpted in exquisite detail. The use of gold plated pewter horns and accent pieces, solid glass eyes, and hand applied archival paints puts them, in a class of their very own.Candle LampsThese luminous sculptures by M Pena will forever alter your notion of what a candle lamp could be. With a flame for a heart, solid glass eyes, windows flicker with candlelight, and shadows dance across the wall as cats, bats, dragons, owls, wolves and more come alive in the night. Votive candles and glass holders are included. Optional electric votive lamp inserts are available and sold separately.Unicorn Figurines:Windston Editions Unicorns have been a symbol of purity and spirituality for centuries. Their Unicorn Figurines feature horns coated with 24 karat gold.
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