Resting Deer
White stoneware, sculpted and carved
3.75 x 4.25”
230.

About Resting Deer

When I consider the word “transcendence,” I imagine a grand and vibrant experience. Yet in our personal lives the feeling of transcendence is often a quiet shift to feeling more grounded in a spiritual self. Our self, which is able to overcome conflict and challenges through acting with compassion. The ancient religion of Shintoism in Japan considers deer a messenger to the gods, acting as a connection between humans and the spirit realm. My interpretation of a deer in “Resting Deer” is based on a Japanese netsuke (a miniature carved sculpture) and intends to invoke a feeling of inner peace. Across many cultures, ancient mythology represents deer as symbols of peace, gentleness, and love. 

May we all harness our inner strength to act with these three qualities in the year ahead.