The collaboration that resulted in Elemental Fire Sprite started when artist Melanie West (of Georgetown) handed her friend and felt artist Susan Mills (Bowdoin) a large, black and white polymer bead and challenged her to “do something with it.” Susan, a self-ascribed lover of all of Nature's spirits, hand-felted a form around the bead and returned the work to Melanie who, inspired by the fire goddess Pele, made the polymer mask.

“When you're a 60-year-old, bigger fish, in a small pond, and find yourself longing for bigger, open waters ... be careful what you wish for,” said West. “Wrangle up your courage, faith in what you know, and hold on tight to your wonderment of the new and exciting.”

This is where West finds herself as she shifts from Mother to Crone. With her she brings decades of learning to embrace the artist within, and a chronic love of learning, along with her wonderment of adding new material to her already full toolbox.

Of her relationship with artist Mills, she says: “Susan has lovingly held my hand through this new journey. And, as I flounder and learn to swim in the felting world, Susan and I have discovered in each other a Sister to love and explore with. I challenge and learn from her, she challenges and I hope learns a little something from me, and we laugh as we do it. What could be better?”

Said Mills, “Mel and I met each other through our art and immediately connected on a Soul level. The result of our collaboration brought forth what I refer to as an Elemental Being. I see it as a Spiritual Helper that would assist in Shamanic Travels to both the Upper World as well as the Lower World. The journey with Mel is fun and most rich. She brings a clarity, wisdom and tremendous courage to her own journey in all ways to include her vision and resulting art-making. She SO inspires me! And she lovingly shares with me. We plan on more and more!’

Both of these fine artists offer classes all over with West traveling regularly to Europe and beyond. Check out their websites for more info: www.ravensclay.com  and www.susanmillsstudio.com.

Join Melanie West and Susan Mills on Aug. 9 from 5-7  p.m. for an artist’s talk and reception when Elemental Fire Sprite will make its first appearance at Markings Gallery, 50 Front St., in Bath. The artists’ joint show runs through the end of August.