I am using mineral oil to seal the wood. I’m also using a stain than can be light to dark gray. It is made by soaking steel wool in vinegar. To attach the nuts hatches, I’m using dowels and glue. This glue is made by cooking milk powder with vinegar to get curds, these are drained, rinsed and combined with baking soda and some water to get the preferred thickness.
s. Glue
It is supposed to be waterproof. Wisconsin weather will test that claim.;
I’m participating in an environmental art installation project. Here is a hint of what I will be creating
So with a move, a wedding and other things we have been inactive. This will change. Stay tuned folks.
I have finished “The Seer” in time for the show at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison.
The concept was to think about the long hope of the ancient Hebrew believers. This is the head of a prophet. Another word for prophet is “Seer”.
I think of this as Isaiah, because we read so much from Isaiah in the Advent Season.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV
The prophet sees in the distant sky a star, representing the hope for redemption. His white hair and beard show that the wait was long. The star prefigures the Christmas Star found in Matthew 2. And I like to think of the Magi, star gazers, as being on the other end of the message. The Seer lives in hope and the Magi set out on a journey of discovery.
Here are some images of the process of the carving. I used a method of shallow relief. The wood is butternut. The piece is 27 x 17 inches and about 3/4 inch thick. I left the living edge because the wood itself has a story of growth over years and bark for enduring the elements.
Here is the final result
I have been thinking about a carving that suggests Hope in Advent. I went through a lot of very complicated iterations until I hit on the idea of the Prophet as Seer, looking into the night sky to see a special star. The prophet will have a long lyrical beard, suggesting time.
at workbench
I am participating at the Earth Sculpture 2015 show at the Farley Center. There are 13 installations at the show, which you can visit at any time. The concept is to use resources from the land. I chose to install two shallow relief carvings of cardinals.
Here is the Map
Here is the link to the Farley Center
Below are some pictures
