Most women get the biggest smile over their faces. Some even cry. For a lot of these mothers it is gift to themselves. It is pausing for a moment to reflect and remember how important we are as women.
Honoring Motherhood and Women Through Art
www.castingcreationsbellycasts
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| Daddy's Hand |
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assionate about the developmental stages of the human spectrum, it's no wonder Ashley Lockwood, pregnant with her first child, wanted to preserve the experience and instructed her husband to plaster cast her belly. That was seven years ago. Now the mother of two, who has a breast feeding certificate for Peer Counseling and has started training to become a Birth Insturctor and Doula, has turned her passion "for moms, babies and everything in between" into honoring and celebrating motherhood, women and their bodies with her belly and torso casts. Coming from a family of artists, that includes her sister, grandmother, uncle and her mother, well-known artist Marilyn Radzat (www.marilynradzat.com), Lockwood says that she's just carrying on the tradition that lives in her blood, while at the same time she's able to remind women that they are, indeed, masterpieces.
What was the inspiration for the unique way of preserving this special part of a woman's life experience?
My inspiration was seeing a picture and saying...do I really look like that? With a belly cast you can see the true image, the true shape, the true you! You can touch it, feel it, run your hands over your belly. You see yourself as art. To then be able to keep this, to pass on to your children. Possibly your daughter who is pregnant and comparing sizes of bellies, shapes... I look at mine almost everyday and take a moment to remember the experience and the amazement of my body and of who I am as a woman.
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| Faux Bronze Finish |
You call it belly casting, but you also do body (full torso) casting for anybody wanting to be immortalized or just celebrate themselves?
Yes, so many women forget that today, in this very moment they are beautiful. The shape of their bodies is completely different then anybody else. By doing a torso cast of a non pregnant woman or even a man for that matter allows us humans to stop and appreciate all of our hard work, whatever it may be. Women old and young rarely look at their bodies as a work of art, but that is exactly what it is. Our very skin that we walk around in is a beautiful, amazing, testament to who we are and how we live our lives.
Do the un-pregnant women wanting the body casts come in all shapes and sizes and do you find that most are comfortable with their own bodies?
The unpregnant and pregnant women come in all shapes and all ages. But rarely do I met a woman that is comfortable with their body. I do my best to work as an artist so that during the process she feels like a developing masterpiece. But when I pull it off, that is when they look at each curve and see shape not fat. When they see their chest or stomach and smile instead of grimace.
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| Maple Leaves |
On your website, you suggest belly cast parties. What a great idea for women to get together at baby showers, bridal showers, or just gather for some spiritual bonding.
I have found that when you are pregnant all your friends seem to be pregnant at the same time. This is a chance to save some money, have some giggles and feel free to celebrate your body!
You also mention Blessingways - (an American Indian Tradition that honors the woman as she makes the transition into motherhood) - a more spiritual take on the baby shower, how does it differ from the traditional baby shower?
The blessingways came out of a need to hold special ceremonies to celebrate mom. Mothers are so often forgotten and all the emphasis is places on the baby... for me it was something that needed to be done. I adore doing blessingways. It is a time when I can bring out my goddess side and get to know a family in a wonderful way. We light candles, say blessings, do the casting...it is a magical moment shared by wonderful women. Every woman walks away a little taller, prouder and more confidante because we celebrate the very essence of the woman.
Can the average person do a belly cast?
Yes, absolutely, the difference with me doing it for you is that I have been doing it for so long that I know how to re-enforce it, smooth it and finish it in a way that many people do not. But if somebody wants to do it without all that extra stuff they can do it no problem. In fact I even sell Do-It-Yourself kits with detailed instructions to guide them through the process. Some even do it themselves and then send me the cast and I finish it for them and send it back.
These one-of-a-kind pieces, once painted and decorated, really are works of art, as well as very personal creations as it's a mold of a woman's body - a part of who they are. What are the women's reactions when you show them the finished piece?
Most women get the biggest smile over their faces. Some even cry. For a lot of these mothers it is gift to themselves. It is pausing for a moment to reflect and remember how important we are as women. How grateful we are to be given the gift of child bearing. And a true celebration of not only the baby, but of the mother.
In your own unique way you are honoring women everywhere, how important is it for women to honor each other?
I fee that we women understand each-other. If you see that one women crying, all it takes is a small glance, a slight smile to say "I understand and it will get better, I am on your side" We are a pack. We are a force. We are life, we give life and we maintain life. Women are all goddess in their own way. To be able to bring out your own in whatever way you can, allows you to remember that we, as women, are masterpieces!
Visit Ashley Lockwood at Casting Creations Belly Casts. If you live in the LA/ Southbay/ Orange County, California area, she'd be happy to do a cast and Blessingways for you. Otherwise, check out her do-it-yourself casting kits.
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