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The Shape of Us: An Afternoon of Art, Vulnerability, and Celebration
- Jul 19
- 12 min read
Updated: Jul 21
There are moments in life that simply can't be replicated. They aren't performances or productions. They're created by trust, by courage, and by a group of people willing to show up exactly as they are.
The Shape of Us was one of those moments.
The Shape of Us was conceived by Kari Larson and Erika Stevens, who envisioned an event that celebrated women and the bodies that have carried us through all the changes in our lives. When they approached me with the idea, I was all in. I loved the concept and began imagining how we could transform it into a complete experience—one that felt deeply connected to Southern Arizona and to the our chosen venue, the Tinaja Art Retreat.
Together, we wanted to create a space where women could celebrate the stories written into their skin—their curves, their scars, their strength, and all of life's challenges and joys that brought them to this moment. As the planning evolved, I drew inspiration from everything around us. The weathered adobe walls, rough-hewn beams, and lush desert landscape of Tinaja, and the anticipation of the summer monsoons became part of the vision. We embraced the scent of creosote after a rain, native plants, regional artists, and flavors that spoke to the Sonoran Desert, allowing the landscape itself to become part of the experience.
Somewhere along the way, I realized that the name The Shape of Us had taken on an even deeper meaning. It wasn't just about the literal shape of our bodies. It became about the shape of our experiences, the shape of our relationships, the shape of our thoughts, and even the shape of the land that surrounds us.
The Space - Tinaja Art Retreat
Artist Shay Lopez generously opened the doors of his Tinaja Art Retreat & Airbnb in Green Valley, Arizona, allowing us to take over the property for the day. It felt earthy, peaceful, and authentic. Shay displayed some of his paintings and sculptures depicting the human form. To soften the space, we draped fabric from beams and placed cowhide and geometric rugs on the brick floors. Shay gathered sprigs of creosote bush from the desert that we used to accent displays. We leaned a full length mirror along a wall for women to write words associated with their bodies and Mexican prayer candles were placed everywhere!
Each guest was gifted an oversized Turkish towel to drape during their photo shoot and to use after a dip in the pool.
Welcome!
Fourteen women arrived—most in their forties, and fifties and one who just turned 21. They came from different backgrounds and with different stories, from surviving breast cancer, breast feeding children, infertility and other unique life experiences that shared the common thread of womanhood.
Erika welcomed everyone bravely dressed in underwear with a robe - setting the tone for self acceptance. She shared a deeply personal poem about learning to embrace her body—not despite its changes, but because of them. She spoke about releasing years of self-criticism and even thanked her belly for carrying and nurturing the three children she had brought into the world.
The Shape of Us
Our bodies are journals,
written in freckles and scars,
stretch marks and laughter lines,
soft places and strong ones.
They remember scraped knees,
awkward dances,
first kisses,
and the days we thought we weren’t enough.
They remember carrying children,
or carrying dreams.
Holding grief.
Holding joy.
Holding each other together
when life asked us to be stronger than we knew.
They’ve climbed mountains,
or simply climbed out of bed
on mornings that felt just as hard.
They’ve blushed with embarrassment,
stood tall with pride,
danced in kitchens,
crossed finish lines,
and weathered storms no one else could see.
Time has shaped us—
not by taking beauty away,
but by adding wisdom, resilience,
and stories worth telling.
Today, we stop measuring.
We stop apologizing.
We stop waiting for “someday.”
Instead, we honor every chapter,
every curve, every scar, every triumph,
every version of the woman we’ve been.
Because the shape of us
was never meant to be perfect.
It was always meant
to be beautifully, courageously,
unapologetically ours. - Erika Stevens
Her words resonated with everyone present. I literally got goosebumps - one guest said she was brought to tears. They reminded us that our bodies are not problems to solve. They are living records of love, strength, resilience, joy, heartbreak, healing, and survival.
Boudoir Shoot
Photographer Jasmine Loew of The Loew Light Photography invited participants into one of the bedrooms of Tinaja for boudoir portraits. The room, with its soft light and textured adobe walls, created a beautiful setting for women to see themselves through a different lens—one of confidence rather than criticism. Later, Jasmine moved outdoors, where the desert landscape became another backdrop. Some women wrapped themselves in nothing more than a sheet. Others wore favorite garments or meaningful pieces. Each session reflected the personality and comfort of the woman standing in front of the camera.
Quick Sketch Painting
In the studio, surrounded by previous works by Shay, artist and art teacher, Keri Deixler of The French Flat Studio in Colorado captured each participant with quick expressive sketches, creating keepsakes that celebrated individuality rather than perfection.
Torso Casting
Then came one of the most anticipated activities of the day: Torso casting.
Shay demonstrated the process of creating a torso sculpture on Erika, whose willingness to bare all helped participants to feel comfortable. Her vulnerability gave others permission to explore their own comfort levels.
Soon, women paired up to create torso casts of one another.
Before the plaster strips were applied, each participant coated her skin with fragrant creosote body oil Oil is essential to the process, protecting skin and allowing the form to easily separate from the body as it dries. For our event, we needed a body oil that reflected our theme. Each participant received a bottle of Creosote infused jojoba oil generously provided by Paula
Morris of Sweet P Skin Care in Tucson. Paula has been formulating and perfecting organic body products from Sonoran Desert plants for 22 years. It was such a pleasure meeting her and seeing all of the products she has and how beautifully they are packaged and presented - Paula is also the artist behind each label.
The creosote bush releases a distinct, sweet smell when it rains in the Sonoran Desert.
See Sweet P's website to order organic luxury skincare products for your own skin care routine or for gifts.
For anyone who has spent time in Southern Arizona, the unmistakable scent of creosote is instantly recognizable. It is the aroma that rises from the desert just before and after a summer monsoon—the smell so many locals simply call "the smell of rain." Long treasured by Indigenous peoples of the Southwest for its medicinal and skin-soothing properties, the creosote bush is one of the Sonoran Desert's most iconic plants. As the women prepared their casts, the rich fragrance did more than protect their skin and help release the plaster. It connected them to the landscape surrounding them. Paula's thoughtful gift became one more meaningful layer in an evening centered on honoring women's bodies.
The process: First skin was coated with Creosote infused body oil, then strips of casting material and water were layered on the skin. The drying "cast" natually separates from the body and dries hard. It takes about 15 minutes. Later, torsos can be painted.
Some women laughed through the process.
Some grew unexpectedly emotional.
Others who preferred more privacy simply stepped away with a trusted partner to create in quieter space. There was no pressure, no expectation, and no right way to participate. One participant opted to have Shay make a cast of her foot. Every woman was honored exactly where she was.
At a later date, the cured casts will be painted and decorated at a follow-up event.
Desert Rain
As if the desert itself approved of the gathering, monsoon clouds drifted overhead and released a gentle evening shower. Just enough rain fell to cool the air without interrupting the event. Just enough for that unique Sonoran desert smell of the heeling creosote plant… It was nothing short of magical!
Nature became part of the artwork.
Throughout the evening, guests also enjoyed refreshments thoughtfully chosen to reflect the spirit of the Sonoran Desert. Cool well water from Shay's property was available alongside Navajo tea, and light regionally inspired fare encouraged guests to linger and share stories, reinforcing the sense of community.
(Recipes below)
As daylight faded into night, the retreat transformed.
Candles flickered throughout the property, softening the adobe walls with warm light. A pathway illuminated through the desert invited guests toward the swimming pool, where women could quietly slip away for conversation, reflection, or simply float beneath the darkening Arizona sky.
The pace slowed.
Conversations deepened.
Strangers became friends.
By the end of the evening, something remarkable had happened.
Women who had arrived wondering whether they would participate or just observe felt comfortable and joined in..
The camera had not judged them.
The plaster had not judged them.
The artists had not judged them.
Neither had the women beside them.
Perhaps that's what made The Shape of Us so powerful.
It wasn't about boudoir photography, sculpture or even art...
It was about permission.
Permission to stop apologizing for taking up space.
Permission to see beauty where we had only seen flaws.
Permission to honor every scar, wrinkle, stretch mark, and curve as evidence of a life fully lived.
The Shape of Us helped us accept the woman we are.
We are deeply grateful to every participant who trusted us with their vulnerability; to Shay Lopez for opening the beautiful Tinaja Art Retreat; to Jasmine Loew for capturing women with compassion and artistry; to Keri Deixler for preserving each participant in sketch; and to Paula Morris of Sweet P Skin Care for her generous sponsorship and thoughtful contribution to the day's experience.
Food & Drink
Beverages
Our featured beverages were chosen with intent: one drink honored the deep cultural traditions of the Southwest, while the other celebrated someone who recently chose to make Southern Arizona her new home. Together, they quietly reinforce one of the themes of The Shape of Us—that we all arrive with different stories, yet find belonging in the same place.
Chilled Navajo Tea
Navajo tea is made from dried stems, leaves, and tiny yellow blossoms gathered by one of our host's friends, Ella Daya of the Navajo Nation. Her family gathers the plant each year in late June near Black Creek Canyon in Pine Springs, Arizona. Navajo tea is made from greenthread, a native Southwestern wildflower that has been enjoyed for generations by the Navajo and other Indigenous peoples of the region. Prized for its delicate, earthy flavor and naturally caffeine-free qualities, the tea reflected the desert landscape surrounding us.
Tea
For our tea, I combined the traditional Navajo tea with my husband's favorite iced-tea blend.
To make the tea, I slowly simmered two handfuls the dried plant with fresh mint harvested that morning from my farm, two sliced lemons and a cinnamon stick then, after straining out the liquid but before it cooled, I sweetened it with a large spoonful of local honey from the Tohono O’Odham’s San Xavier Food Co-op in Tucson. Served chilled, it was refreshing, aromatic, and a beautiful tribute to the traditions and flavors of the Southwest. This made about 1 gallon and 1/2. I made two batches for our event and everyone LOVED it!
Minnesota Bootleg
In honor of Kari Larson, who recently traded Minnesota's lakes for Southern Arizona's desert and has wholeheartedly embraced her new home, we served Minnesota Bootleg. This refreshing blend of lime juice, lemonade, and generous handfuls of fresh mint was topped with sparkling soda water, creating a bright, invigorating drink perfect for a warm monsoon afternoon. Guests who wished could also add a splash of gin or vodka, making it as spirited as the conversations shared beneath the mesquite trees.
For one gallon, I used:
2 jugs of Simply Lemonade brand lemonade
2 cans of frozen lime concentrate
A large bunch of fresh mint from my garden
Soda water
Optional gin, rum or vodka
Fresh lemon and mint for garnish
I puréed the mint, stems removed, with just enough of the lemonade to let it blend well in the machine and let the cans of concentrate thaw. Then I mixed the remaining of the lemonade with the mint mixture and the limeade. On our bar counter at Tinaja, I had soda water available to splash on top and three optional alcohol choices; gin, vodka and white rum. No one tried the rum, but the other options were a hit and some enjoyed the mix without alcohol. Fresh sprigs of mint and lemon slices for garnish.
Light Bites
Chipotle Grilled Chicken Wraps
These wraps were inspired by the flavors of Southern Arizona. Artist, Keri Deixler had come to town a few days before the event and a trip to Tumacacori and The Santa Cruz Chili Factory was on the list of MUST DO during her visit to her old home of Southern Arizona! Keri stocked up on her favorites for her kitchen and for gifts and I grabbed the chipotle seasoning to make these wraps.
I always pre-brine boneless, skinless chicken breasts to tenderize. It is an easy process and makes a big difference.
I used wax sandwich wraps to hold and store the wraps for later in the day.
Ingredients for approximately 10 wraps:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt for brining
Marinade, see below
Chipotle spread, see below
2 cans black beans
4 ears of corn
Fresh spinach
Grated sharp yellow cheese
2 cucumbers, seeds scraped out
2-3 avocados, sliced (I did not use because I was making ahead of time and was concerned about browning)
Cherry tomatoes (I did not use because I was making ahead of time and was concerned about too much moisture)
Your favorite wrap or tortilla.
Chipotle Spread
Cream together:
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon of our local Santa Cruz Chili Factory chipotle seasoning*
1 squeezed lime (don't overdo the lime or the wraps will get soggy)
*Taste and adjust - the seasoning is a great smokey flavor with a little heat.
Butterfly the raw chicken a coat generously with salt to brine. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours then rinse off salt and marinate chicken. I used one of our favorite brands, Chef Merito’s Chicken Marinade. Grill and allow meat to cool, then slice or cube.
You could use frozen corn kernels, but it makes a BIG difference if you use slightly caramelized corn fresh off the grill. We grilled the corn as they are - husks on with no pre-soaking in water. It takes about 8-10 minutes. Let outer husks blacken somewhat. If you are not grilling, you can actually microwave corn for a couple minutes - it won’t caramelize but it will be fresh. Scrape kernels off of the cob after they have cooled and set aside. Canned corn is not recommended as it will make the wrap soggy.
Rinse a can of black beans, strain and pat off any access water.
These are great with avocado, but I was worried the they would brown because I was preparing these a few hours before our event. If you will be eating right away, avocado is a great addition! I also did not add the cherry tomatoes (except to one that I ate right away! YUM) because I did not want the moisture to make the warp soggy, but highly recommend if you are eating right after making. Cucumbers were a little risky for this reason but I felt we needed the crunch. I halved them lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the seedy, wet center and sliced in half rounds.
Set out your ingredients and have a stack of wax sandwich wraps ready (if using). Apply the Chipotle spread in a thin coat over the whole wrap or tortilla. This not only flavors but helps to hold everything together. Add a sprinkling of beans and corn next (they will stick to spread - you could potentially mix these right in with the spread). Layer with some sliced cucumbers, grated cheese, a few chunks of chicken, the spinach leaves and roll up. I did not close the ends with the tortilla so the sandwich wrap helped to hold everything in.
Mango Salsa
I am very lucky to be good friends with Chuck and Chris Ciruli, owners of Ciruli Brother’s and Champagne brand mangoes. When mangos are in season, I eat them all the time - I have mangos with yogurt and granola or with a banana sliced and granola for breakfast, I make many salsa to add to wraps, have with corn chips or in tacos (recipe below). I puree mangoes for my granddaughter to mix with her baby cereal or freeze into mango popsicles or to make mango margaritas. I make mango chutney - so good poured onto a block of cream cheese for an appetizer with crackers, spread onto a turkey sandwich or as an accompaniment with pork or chicken. Chopped mango with honey makes an excellent ice-cream topping! I give the flesh-covered pits to my granddaughter to suck on and all the peels go to my chickens to peck the last of the yummy off the skins! When I asked my friends to sponsor our event, they not only provided enough mangoes for my salsa, but surprised us with boxes of mangoes for each participant to take home!
Recipe
I love the colors the bright, orange mangos, specks of green from cilantro and peppers and red of the bell peppers and onion!
4 Champagne® mangos, diced
1 jalapeño, minced
3-4 squeezed limes
A bunch of fresh, chopped cilantro
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium red onion, diced
Mix it altogether - that’s it! Each with corn-chips or add to wraps (right before eating... soggy issue...)
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Please take some time to learn more about these artists and local businesses.
Experience Designer/Producer, Laurel Loew
Event Host/producer, Erika Stevens
Event Host/producer, Kari Larson
Artist and host, Shay Lopez
Tinaja Art Retreat and Airbnb
@artstinaja
Photographer Jasmine Loew
@the_loew_light
Artist/art teacher, Keri Deixler
Sweet P’s Skin Care
@sweetpskincare
Event Sponsor
Stay In Touch!
Southern Arizona Living, SoAzLiving was created to celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make Southern Arizona so special. From unforgettable celebrations, events and weddings at my family's ranch, Agua Linda Farm to inspiring events like The Shape of Us, I love being a part of creating memorable experiences.
If you'd like to follow along, join our mailing list for occasional updates, event announcements, wedding inspiration, and a glimpse of life in Southern Arizona.
My home, Agua Linda Farm is a 63 acre ranch in Southern Arizona near Tucson. My husband and I have been hosting weddings, harvest festivals and other events on our property for more than 15 years. Celebrations and events are our thing from my design and management skills to his expertise in sound/audio and music - we make a great team! I write my blog posts with my clients in mind but also hope to provide a little inspiration.
Also - follow my Agua Linda Farm Wedding instagram and my Southern Arizona Living Instagram
Happy Planning!. - Laurel Loew
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