CHERYL COLLINS – IVINS, UT

“Walk Lightly”

Steel

9’ X 2.5’

$48,000

Walk Lightly is a heron sculpture inspired by Barbara Ward’s quote, “We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.” The quote is carved into the body of the bronze and steel sculpture. Herons are known for their graceful balance, patience, and self-reliance, and are said to represent harmony and the resolution of conflicts. The process of turning inspiration into sculpture and creating art in collaboration with other artists has been a wonderful journey of shared vision, inner growth and bonding friendships. Displaying art with the intention of sharing the inspiration and beauty with others is icing on the cake.

Bird Woman

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“Bird Woman” was inspired by a pattern of stones in my patio in the shape of a woman’s body, with a bird’s head. She showed herself to me one evening in 2022 when I was sitting on the patio, asking the universe for help and strength as my husband was at death’s door. The stones had been there for 22 years, but had gone unnoticed until the full lunar eclipse that symbolized release and letting go. I took a picture of the stones, traced them, and created a fused glass Bird Woman, which was the first creative project I had done since my husband’s decline a year and a half before. The piece represented strength and support in my time of desperate need. My good friend and talented artist, Trent Ripplinger, caught the essence and importance of Bird Woman, and created her larger-than-life in corten steel. Bird Woman represents our interconnection, inspiration from the universe, and the power of the creative force to heal and support us.

Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger have been good friends and artists working separately and together, co-creating projects for clients for 20 years. Cheryl primarily does fused glass and bronze sculpture, while Trent works with all types of metal. At a young age, Cheryl was intuitively drawn to nature, photography, art, and poetry. She majored in art and worked in a variety of media before she found her love of fused glass and bronze sculpture. Her work in the local community can be seen at the entrance to the St. George Regional Hospital in St. George, at the Desert Rose Labyrinth Sculpture Gardens in Kayenta, and in the monument at Vista Charter School in Ivins, Utah. Cheryl and Trent came together on this inspired project for Art Around the Corner 2024. 

Meet the Artist

At a young age, Cheryl Collins was intuitively drawn to nature, photography, art, and poetry. She majored in art and worked in a variety of media before she found her love of fused glass and bronze sculpture. Her work in the local community can be seen at the entrance to the IHC Hospital in St George, at the Desert Rose Labyrinth Sculpture Gardens in Kayenta, and in the monument at Vista Charter School in Ivins, Utah. Cheryl says, “Opening to Grace emerges from the earth like a growing vine. Her arms are raised in sun salutation as a reminder to live joyfully, with gratitude for the gift of life. Ala began as a tribute to the hummingbirds that built nests just outside the windows of our desert home. The hummingbird that sits on her shoulder is the symbol of joy. Ala’s message is our connection to nature, which we honor as our teacher, hold dear as our friend, and protect as our child.“

Website: CollinsArt.net

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