Force of Nature was inspired by the life of a woman whose resilience left a lasting impression on me. As a lesbian growing up in the South during the 1950s and ’60s, a female carpenter in a male-dominated field, and later a hospice social worker, her life has been shaped by perseverance, compassion, and quiet strength.

Despite profound losses, including the death of her longtime spouse, she radiated equanimity—grieving without bitterness and continuing to serve others with an open heart. Her presence felt like a force of nature: powerful, steady, and deeply grounded.

I created a four-foot circular mosaic to reflect this strength balanced by stillness. Now hanging above her fireplace, the 200-pound piece rests on a wall she proudly reinforced herself—another testament to her enduring spirit.

Force of Nature was commissioned for a private collection in Roanoke, Virginia, and is not currently available for public viewing.