Mardie sculpting, with finished maquette in foreground

Mardie's studio is abuzz with the careful crafting of the enlargement for her latest commissioned work, a statue for Westminster Colorado's new Saint Anthony North Health Campus. She is enlarging the maquette to a full-sized statue of nearly 7 feet tall. Mardie's contemporary vision for this beloved saint positions the child on the ground, taking his first steps in a trusting walk of faith.

As with all of her sculptures, Mardie sought models with specific character traits to give the work integrity and truthfulness. The toddler is a child of a dear friend, and the saint is portrayed by a gentle, fatherly, and spiritual man who is on the board of the United Way.

Saint Anthony North Health Campus opens in March 2015, and the sculpture will be installed in the fall.