I created this relief sculpture based on an original story about returning to nature and finding inner peace. Read the narrative below.

Size: 7 inches by 10 inches by 3 inches

Medium: Polymer clay

The day was beautiful, and she had an impulse. She has gotten this impulse before, but today was the day she gave in. Why not today? What else could go wrong? She stepped off the trail and walked into the woods. Her hands grazed the bark of a nearby tree; the rough texture felt good on her skin. She walked without knowing why, but the trees and flowers called her further into the woods. A child-like wonder returned to her as she journeyed into the forest. Every bug and leaf had awakened this feeling more. A butterfly landed on a flower in front of her; she froze, afraid to make a move and scare away the creature. A squirrel ran up a nearby tree, and the butterfly flew away, flowing in the air. She returned to her aimless wandering, deeper and deeper into the woods. The deeper she went, the thicker the brush became, but she did not notice. She broke out into a clearing and stopped. This was it, the perfect spot. She sat and then laid down, spreading her limbs out. She had not processed how tired she was from the walk until she felt the comfort of the ground. It felt better than any bed she had slept in. She looked up at the sky through the tree branches and watched birds fly overhead. The slight rustle of leaves in the breeze and the sound of critters lulled her eyes closed. She closed her eyes and just listened. The dirt and moss felt soft under her skin. The squishy ground was gentle. She closed her eyes, not moving, just letting the world consume her senses. The feeling of moss on the back of her legs and arms felt softer than any blanket. The mixture of the sounds of birds, the wind in the leaves, and a small creek babbling nearby came together and created a unified, peaceful harmony. As she lay there in pure comfort for the perfect eternity, all of her worries drained from her into the earth, and she became lighter. How had she forgotten this feeling? Joy.