Adventures in Clay, San Francisco

A figure sits, slightly curved, its exposed spine revealing the deep red roses that have sprouted from its backbone. Another figure gazes serenely down at the trio of multihued fish emerging from its rib cage. These aren't subjects in an artsy science-fiction film—these are sculptures from the mind and hands of Natasha Dikareva.

The visionary artist blends her imagination, ancient Greek mythology, and Eastern spiritual philosophies to invent darkly whimsical creations that challenge onlookers' relationships to reality. And she doesn't just keep her talents to herself—she helms hands-on workshops to teach others how to tap into their imaginations, whether they want to sculpt a simple teapot or form a mask to wear while picking their kids up from school.