Wood-Art 1

Myths,Symbols and Legends

Myths, Symbols, and Legends are ways to explain the unexplainable. They allow us to embrace our perceptions and justify our meaning of life. They are what we have evolved from as a species; they are what has made us the people we are today. I choose to enjoy the myths and legends, as I embrace my own perception of creation. Our Native American culture has given us a window to peer into their many myths, symbols, and legends. The Bear and the Eagle are two of the most respected symbols that our Native American’s created legends around.

The legend of the Bear:

Bears are also one of the most important and widespread clan animals in Native American cultures. Bears walk the earth and get their energy and power from the earth. They have impressive magical powers, it is dangerous to insult bears, step on their scat or foot print. Wearing a necklace of bear claws will bring you exceptional power and strength

The Legend of the Eagle:

Eagles are the guardians of the heavens above, associated with direction, spirituality, and balance. They are the protectors of the universe; they are the leaders that watch over us. An eagle serves as a messenger between humans and the Creator. Because eagles are considered such a powerful medicine animal, the hunting or killing of eagles was restricted by many taboos.

It's our responsibility to remember their past, whether it makes practical sense or not, regardless of what you believe.

Tree: Carrotwood – Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Introduced from Australia, in 1995 it' is considered an invasive tree in Florida which makes it illegal to introduce, possess, transport, or sell in the state. We are ordered to remove them from our land. And in time they will all be gone.

INSIDE BEAUTY

I always find that my wood art starts with the concept of a vessel as the means of a primitive source of survival. When I first started working on this piece of art my thoughts where to look at the plight of a women, where the roots and vines of life strangle her, she is constantly being pulled in many directions and the heavy load of life cracks her back with it never ending demands. This vessel became not just a source for survival, but an inner center of life’s beauty. No matter what this world was doing to her, she still was beautiful in the inside.

HANDS TO HEAVEN

I was always amazed at the strength that trees had to withstand, strong winds, periods of droughts, lighting storms and pest attacking it. Many years ago I had worked for my brother who was a tree surgeon, one particular job was a to remove a Dutch Elm tree that had gotten diseased. The owners wanted us to remove the complete tree and its root system. My job was to dig around the roots of this tree. As I was digging all of the soil away from the roots (it took two days) I was amazed at the way the roots had spread in many directions, searching for water and natural nourishment for it’s survival. I was surprised how deep the roots went into the soil for its strength to stay stable against the elements.

This piece represents all of those traits that a tree looks to develop for its survival. This wood art piece came to me naturally, that a persons hands were much like the roots of the tree that reaches into the earth for strength and nourishment as mankind reaches to the heavens for strength and nourishment.

GRAVITY RULES

We do not understand why and how Gravity works, but without it everything falls apart. Our universe keeps in balance because of Gravity.

Every part of out body is made of matter that came from an exploded Super Nova Star. We are all made of universal matter that is pulling us together. If we allow Gravity to rule then we will all come together as one. Unknowingly, Gravity wants us to pull together.

Wood used to carve this art piece was from the roots of the Long –Leaf Pine Tree (Pinus palustris),

Fatwood The Early American Natives Southern Indians, as a means of survival would girdle this tree, they would wait until it would die and fall over, (usually within 8 to 15 years,) the remaining stump and root had all the terpene tar/pitch pulled down into the stump and root system by gravity and stored within. The stump/root would then be hacked into small wooden pieces that could easily be ignited with a flint stone to build their necessary campfires for warmth and survival.

The resin-imbued heartwood of these pine trees; in fact, it’s sometimes called “heart pine.” the products of pine resin called pitch and tar have been used for hundreds of years as preservatives and sealants for wood, rope, and other materials by our early settlers.

TWO SIDES OF EVERY FAMILY

There are two sides to every family. There is the side that we want everyone to see how clean and pure we are, and then there's the inside of us that we hide and protect. We didn’t choose our family, but we always feel we must defend it. We are told family is one of the most important things to hold and cherish. It is what it is inside of us that we look for the beauty and the appreciation of who we are. It is what our family has taught us and the lessons that we have learned that make us beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.

MANY DIRECTIONS

Sculpting is dimensional and subtractive; it involves removing material rather than adding to it. I studied this piece of wood for many months from various angles. I needed to be sensitive to the end result; my perceptions were vital to pre-visualize the final piece. My goal was to create a curious, entertaining work of art that produces imaginary illusions. It should offer a different visual perspective and dimension, appearing as a completely different sculpture from different viewpoints. The wood grain moved in various directions, which influenced the overall movement of the piece. I sculpted distinct emotions for each section, allowing the audience to connect with it in different ways. I wanted to ensure the sculpture was dynamic; it should feel as though it is constantly in motion as you move around it. The artwork should never be repetitive; instead, it should hold your interest and prompt you to discover new images.

NATURE WALKER

A friend had given me this Burl. The branch of its tree had fallen close to the ground, and as the Burl developed over the years, it consumed some of the local stones I was unaware of. From my experience working with Burls, you never know what to expect as it grows and twisters into many forms and shapes. It is almost like an oyster, never knowing if you will find a pearl. My first impression of it was that it had the structure of something human. As I started to carve it and go into depth, I discovered stones and chambers in Burl's exterior, and deeper into the interior was a beautifully twisting blood-red-like wood grain. The branches that grew out of it became supporting legs as if it was walking. This was a very rare find for me as I never knew what to expect with the removal of its exterior shell. All my friends and family who had looked at this piece found something distinctive in it. It was like looking at the clouds and seeing things in them.

WOUND UP

This unusual piece of wood went in so many directions that I knew I had to free and unravel it. It constantly amazes me how different nature can be, and yet it all has a reason. I love the challenge of exploring and releasing its beauty for all of us to appreciate. This piece allows us to explore the inner workings of nature and all its beauty that it has to offer. It almost seems like he needs to escape, saying to us, "I'm heading in a new direction."

Kendor Art

WOOD-ART FOR CHARITY

Recent Wood-Art Projects

CURIOSITY

Myths,Symbols and Legends

Photo Gallery

INSIDE BEAUTY

HANDS TO HEAVEN

GRAVITY RULES

Gravity Rules Photo Gallery

TWO SIDES OF EVERY FAMILY

FAMILY PHOTO GALLERY

MANY DIRECTIONS

DIRECTIONS PHOTO GALLERY

NATURE WALKER

HEART WALKER PHOTO GALLERY

WOUND UP

Wound Up PHOTO GALLERY