Balanced on a Feather's Edge
This art piece has been constructed by wrapping pine cone petals over reclaimed wood, and then adorned with naturally preserved pieces salvaged from the remains an old pine tree that fell many years ago. The tree continued to hold its life-giving resins as the wood decayed, concentrating those fluids into the heartwood fibers as time reclaimed the surface of the once standing tree. As a child, I learned from my grandfather how to search for and identify this heartwood, collecting it for a supply of fuel for heat. Heavily saturated with a condensed hardened source of the pine wood's tar and resin, this resource could be used to kindle the fireplace. "Papa", my grandfather called it this natural formation of wood "fatwood kindling". On the front of this birdhouse is the naturally formed heartwood resembling a feather. After cleaning and polishing, I accentuated the natural appearance of feathering and mounted the structure to allow clear viewing of any side of the pine wood formation. The front eves of the house highlight the entry hole with natural bends in the original tree's stump and root structure. The back of the feather has been refinished to accentuate the beauty of the annual growth rings of hardwood during the tree's life. The piece is totally wrapped with pinecone petals over a pinewood base. The top is removable for cleaning the nesting area. The structure has been encapsulated with a hardened epoxy finish over a natural shellac base finish. A steel rod insert reinforces the heartwood feather allowing the structure to be mounted on a larger tabletop base, and giving the entire structure a freestanding or floating appearance. When I look at this piece, I cannot help but recall my childhood adventures with Papa, and delight in the beauty of nature's recycling of life. Truly the Master's hand at work!
This art piece has been constructed by wrapping pine cone petals over reclaimed wood, and then adorned with naturally preserved pieces salvaged from the remains an old pine tree that fell many years ago. The tree continued to hold its life-giving resins as the wood decayed, concentrating those fluids into the heartwood fibers as time reclaimed the surface of the once standing tree. As a child, I learned from my grandfather how to search for and identify this heartwood, collecting it for a supply of fuel for heat. Heavily saturated with a condensed hardened source of the pine wood's tar and resin, this resource could be used to kindle the fireplace. "Papa", my grandfather called it this natural formation of wood "fatwood kindling". On the front of this birdhouse is the naturally formed heartwood resembling a feather. After cleaning and polishing, I accentuated the natural appearance of feathering and mounted the structure to allow clear viewing of any side of the pine wood formation. The front eves of the house highlight the entry hole with natural bends in the original tree's stump and root structure. The back of the feather has been refinished to accentuate the beauty of the annual growth rings of hardwood during the tree's life. The piece is totally wrapped with pinecone petals over a pinewood base. The top is removable for cleaning the nesting area. The structure has been encapsulated with a hardened epoxy finish over a natural shellac base finish. A steel rod insert reinforces the heartwood feather allowing the structure to be mounted on a larger tabletop base, and giving the entire structure a freestanding or floating appearance. When I look at this piece, I cannot help but recall my childhood adventures with Papa, and delight in the beauty of nature's recycling of life. Truly the Master's hand at work!