Artist Trisha Crocker was simply "playing around" with a piece of wet clay, when one of her sculpture students approached her and exclaimed, "that looks just like me".
Trisha, who lives near Henley-on-Thames, says she had not set out to create anything in particular, but after taking a closer look at her unconscious creation she realised the bumps and curves in her freshly pressed clay might just resemble a woman's body.
So began what Trisha now calls her "Army Of Women": to date more than 150 female figures in clay and bronze.
This month the collection arrives at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead, before going on display at the Henley Festival in July.
The purpose, says the American-born artist, is to get women thinking about their bodies and to accept that women, literally, come in all shapes and sizes.
"It started with just one," explains Trisha, "but then all these women who saw it kept identifying with the piece.
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"I just thought it was really interesting how everyone sees themselves, so I decided to make some more."
Trisha, who has lived in England since the 1970s, tells me that she drew upon her other life skills and talents to create her "army".
Aside from her interest in art, Trisha has also taught dance and fitness for more than 30 years and is a practising art psychotherapist for both adults and children.
"I really do view them as an “army”, because there is something special about the collection, as a group. There's a real strength to them."
Trisha Crocker
She says: "In both these fields I was always surprised at hearing how women looked at themselves. Body image always came up alot."
The process of making each piece is time-consuming, and as Trisha tells me, they all go through the firing process twice, at low temperatures.
Rather than hollowing the pieces out, Trisha leaves them intact, meaning that some figures can reach up to 120lbs in weight.
The pieces have proven popular with collectors, with some bronzes retailing for upwards of £4,500.
"Many people who have seen the collection tell me it reminds them of the Chinese Emperor's Terracotta Army, or Antony Gormley's works.
"To tell you the truth, I really do view them as an "army", because there is something special about the collection, as a group.
"There's a real strength to them."
Trisha adds: "I hope the collection gets people to see themselves differently and embrace themselves.
"What it really shows is that we are all different and we are all beautiful."
Army Of Women arrives at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, from Wednesday, May 14 to Sunday, June 15. Details: 01628 788997 or www.nordenfarm.org; and the Henley Festival, Henley-on-Thames, from Wednesday, July 9 to Sunday, July 13. Details: www.henley-festival.co.uk
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