Circle Up Sisters
Be like an elephant: Remember what matters, look out for your herd, and don’t be afraid to take up space. Lori Deschene
Introducing My Latest Sculpture Series: “Sisterhood Elephants”
I’m thrilled to announce my new series: Sisterhood Elephants — a heartfelt (and slightly playful) tribute to the power of enduring friendship and the fierce, fabulous bonds of sisterhood.
This collection was inspired by my own circle of girlfriends, who have spent years bringing joy, strength, wisdom, and the occasional good bottle (or box) of wine into my life. Just like female elephants, known for their deep intuition and unshakable loyalty to their herd, these sculptures celebrate the beauty of nurturing relationships and the enduring spirit of women supporting women. Each piece is a cheeky yet meaningful reminder of the love and strength we share with the sisters of our hearts — even when they’re stealing the last pour.
And when I say “sisters,” I mean the real deal — some of these women who’ve been in my life since childhood. Decades later, we’re still showing up for each other, still talking or texting every single day, even though we now live in different states.
Together, we’ve weathered marriages, divorces, kids, careers, loss, joy, rage, reinvention — basically, life’s entire playlist. We’ve cried, we’ve laughed until we wheezed (and, let’s be honest, sometimes until we peed), and sometimes we’ve just sat together in silence because words weren’t necessary. That counts too.
Each woman in our circle brings her own brand of magic — the quick responder, the quiet thinker, the passionate leader, the comedian. (Me? I’m the reactionary one, always ready to dive in headfirst.)
They challenge me, ground me, remind me who I am and who I’m still trying to become.
And we aren’t just passing tissues and toasting milestones — we’re political plotters, too. Loud, loving, and unapologetically fierce. We’re fighting for a future our daughters and granddaughters deserve.
We may talk like sailors, but we think like strategists. (Let’s just say Congress would be wise to check the alleyways.)
The Unstoppable Force of Sisterhood
Adrienne Rich, the brilliant poet, once said:
“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.”
And honestly? She wasn’t wrong.
Friendships between women aren’t just heartwarming — they’re a serious force to be reckoned with.
Kind of like elephants. 🐘🐘🐘
The Circle Up Instinct
Earlier this year, when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California, the elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park didn’t panic, bolt, or start packing their trunks.
Nope. They circled up — shoulder to shoulder, calm but ready — because that’s what real sisterhood looks like under pressure.
Experts call it an “alert circle,” triggered by the matriarch when danger’s near.
And here’s the best part: a matriarch isn’t some bossy elephant who barged her way into leadership — she’s chosen.
Earned it.
She’s trusted because she’s lived, she’s led, and she’s loved the herd through everything.
She protects everyone — not just her own calves but the whole messy, beautiful family.
It’s not about dominance.
It’s about devotion — and knowing when it’s time to stop talking, square up, and stand steady.
🐘🐘🐘 Which, coincidentally, is exactly what my girlfriends and I do whenever life throws an earthquake, a heartbreak, or a midlife crisis our way — circle up, stand tall, and pour a strong glass of wine.
Building Your Elephant Circle
(Or: How to Find Your Herd Without Losing Your Mind)
Some women have never experienced the power of a true tribe — a circle of support, strength, and well-timed sarcasm. And let me tell you: building one doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not like speed dating for soul sisters. It takes effort: showing up, listening, being present, and exercising the kind of patience usually reserved for assembling IKEA furniture.
Sometimes, it feels effortless, perfectly in sync, like a flash mob you didn’t know you were part of. Other times, it’s messy, complicated, and full of “we need to talk” moments. But trust me: the reward is worth every awkward coffee date and every misfired group text.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky (and stubborn) enough to build mine.
My best advice?
Start by showing up.
Use your calendar like a friendship GPS. Take note of birthdays, job interviews, surgeries, bad hair days — whatever. Set reminders to check in, show up, and say, “I see you. I’m here.”
Because real sisterhood isn’t built in grand gestures — it’s woven together in a thousand tiny acts of love.
As Michelle Obama wisely said:
“We should always have three friends in our lives — one who walks ahead whom we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way.”
(Preferably with a good bottle of wine in tow.)
The Process Behind the Art
The Sisterhood Elephants collection features five handcrafted, one-of-a-kind elephants. Whether standing alone or circling up in their fierce little herd, each sculpture tells a story of individuality and connection.
It all starts with an aluminum and wire armature — think of it as the elephant’s skeleton, but much less intimidating. From there, I built out their muscled forms with paper tape, layering papier-mâché and rice glue to create bodies full of life, texture, and attitude. The final touch is the placement of their ears and trunks, because, — just like people, — the right posture says everything.
Each elephant is then adorned with wild, bright colors, bold embellishments, and whimsical patterns — celebrating the beauty of being gloriously, unapologetically yourself.
In Sisterhood and Sculpture,
We Circle Up, Stand Tall, and Make Art Out of the Tremors.
Stay tuned for the launch — and remember: find your herd, love them hard, and never underestimate the power of showing up… preferably with snacks and wine.
Who’s in your herd?
You know—the women who’d help you bury a body and remind you where you left your keys.
The ones who’ve seen your ugly cry, your bad decisions, your dance moves—and love you harder for it.
Your matriarchs. Your tuskless soul sisters. Your emotional support elephants.
Tag your herd. Thank them for keeping you (mostly) sane.
And tell us: Who’s tromped beside you through the wild ride of life?
#SisterhoodOfElephants #MatriarchEnergy #EmotionalSupportElephants #HerdGoals
“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.” - Adrienne Rich, poet
Beautiful story! Cheers to fierce women!