The Girl Who Carries the Storm
A small world of copper spirals, blue skies, and the things we carry unseen.
An original mixed-media artwork
and story by April Martin.
From the Umbrella Girls Collection.
There is something wonderful about making a world small enough to hold in your hands. A place where thoughts become spirals, a girl stands beneath her umbrella, and even the smallest detail may have a story to tell.
Where the story begins.
Why this piece exists.
She represents anxiety. Around her, everything seems to be moving. Spirals circle one another. Shapes gather and overlap. Small patches of blue interrupt the crowded surface.
I wanted to take a feeling that can be difficult to describe and give it a physical form.
But I also wanted to create something whimsical. A little world where the viewer could wander, discovering details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
What began as a symbolic exploration became an artwork that could be experienced slowly, from one detail to the next.
The pleasure of building a world by hand.
One of the things I enjoy about dimensional mixed media is that the work occupies a space somewhere between painting, illustration, and sculpture.
The wood panel becomes a foundation for the story. The raised forms introduce movement and physical depth. Color, texture, and metallic finishes change what the viewer notices.
A spiral might be part of the composition, but it can also suggest a thought returning, a memory repeating, or a path without an obvious ending.
I love working in a medium that leaves room for these different possibilities. It allows a story to grow beyond the page.
Built to be explored.
This original 11 × 14-inch mixed-media artwork is constructed on a sturdy wood panel board.
The raised details are sculpted using resin-based clay, which cures into a hard, plastic-like material. This allows the shapes to retain their dimension and intricate detail.
Paint and metallic finishes complete the surface, catching light at different angles and revealing textures that a flat photograph cannot entirely capture.
The cured relief provides durability while preserving the tactile character of the work. It remains original handmade art, intended to be enjoyed and handled with care.
And then there are the small discoveries: two balloons, a quiet opening of blue, a moment of space among the spirals.
A place to let your attention settle.
This artwork can be displayed on a wall, becoming part of a reading nook, creative studio, or meditation space.
But it was also designed to be brought closer. The piece can be carefully removed from its display and rested on your lap for a quiet moment of contemplation.
Rather than trying to empty the mind, you can simply allow your attention to move through the image.
Follow a spiral. Notice a change in color. Imagine a little world beyond the umbrella.
There is no correct destination. Curiosity becomes part of the experience.
A small invitation to look slowly.
Three simple ways to explore the piece. There is no right or wrong way to begin.
Choose a Detail.
Begin with whatever catches your attention: the umbrella, a balloon, a color, or a single sculpted shape.
Follow the Story.
Allow your eyes to move from one part of the artwork to another. Imagine what the little world contains beyond what you can see.
Discover Something New.
Revisit the artwork another day or under different lighting. Notice whether something unfamiliar draws your attention.
The viewer brings the rest of the story.
Who might find meaning in this little world?
Perhaps someone who experiences anxiety will recognize something familiar in the girl beneath the umbrella.
Someone else may be drawn to the whimsical shapes, the metallic colors, or the unusual experience of viewing art at such close range.
I believe that art leaves room for each person's interpretation.
The artist may begin the story, but the viewer brings their own memories, imagination, and understanding.
The Collector's Edition.
One original artwork. A companion piece. The story behind its making.
The Girl Who Carries the Storm is presented as a one-of-a-kind original artwork accompanied by two additional pieces.
- The Original Artwork An 11 × 14-inch sculpted mixed-media meditation piece.
- An 8 × 10 Companion Print A collectible printed extension of the original artwork.
- The Printed Artist's Statement A companion text exploring the artwork's symbolism and creative intention.
One-of-a-kind original. Please refer to the product listing for current pricing, availability, and checkout information.
Caring for Your Artwork
Although the resin-based sculpting clay cures into a hard, durable material, the work remains an original handmade fine-art object.
When moving the piece, support the wood panel rather than lifting it by its raised details. Keep it away from excessive moisture, harsh cleaning products, prolonged direct sunlight, and extreme heat.
For routine dusting, use a clean, soft, dry brush gently around the raised elements. Avoid scrubbing or saturating the surface. Contact the studio with specific care questions.
The Things Buried Beneath Morrowick.
The umbrella is a recurring symbol throughout my creative work, and the Umbrella Girls have their own illustrated gothic-fantasy world.
In the village of Morrowick, every child receives an umbrella upon turning nine. They are beautiful, carefully made objects, but their purpose extends beyond keeping out the rain.
The Things Buried Beneath Morrowick explores grief, conformity, the things communities choose to hide, and the complicated question of who gets to decide what needs mending.
Enter the World of MorrowickContinue the Experience.
Collect an original. Commission something personal. Or discover the pleasure of making a little world of your own.
Bring the Artwork Home.
Explore the original mixed-media meditation artwork and its companion collector's pieces.
View Original ArtworkYour Own Symbols. Your Own Story.
Have a memory, image, or idea you would love to explore through original artwork? Begin a conversation about a personalized commission.
Inquire About CommissionsCreate a Little World.
Interested in sculpted surfaces, mixed media, or visual storytelling? Explore lessons and creative opportunities through The Inkwell Academy.
Explore the AcademyWhere Did Your Eye Go First?
The umbrella? The balloons? One of the spirals? Every viewer begins a story somewhere different. I would love to know where yours began.
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