Druid

Tree: Oak, Warrior's Mark, PA

Dimensions: 58" x 13" x 16"

The source for this sculpture was half of a crotch that had been ripped from the tree during a windstorm. The weakness that led to the failure was also an interesting feature for sculpting, namely a bark inclusion that prevented the formation of connecting grain between the growing trunk. The surface of this inclusion had the appearance of a bearded face, so I enhanced that appearance by polishing a small highlight to suggest an eye.

The second attractive feature of this fallen trunk was the splintered end beyond the bark inclusion. The splinters were up to 5 feet in length and suggested a feather headdress. Unfortunately, when I tried to sculpt the splinters, I found that they were badly cracked and fell away from the sculpture, leaving more of a spiked hair appearance than feathers. With the shape of the bottom of the "beard," the sculpture took on a craggy old man, hence the name Druid, a worshiper of tree spirits.