The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: Richard S on April 09, 2012, 03:44:39 PM

Title: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: Richard S on April 09, 2012, 03:44:39 PM

An old and very tall Tennessee Tulip Poplar in front of the smallest of the three cabins at Critter Creek died over the past winter, so it had to come down due to safety considerations.  Since it was right in front of the little cabin I decided to have the tree company cut it so as to leave a ten foot trunk for carving a decorative totem. Last weekend, the sculptor started his work with what he calls "The Spirit of the Tree."  Here are two shots of the work still in progress. The dark areas along each side of the face are due to someone's having driven a couple of nails into the tree for some purpose or another many years ago. 

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/spiritofthetree2.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/spiritofthetree1-1.jpg)

(I shall now have another tree trunk to have treated each year against termites.) 

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: kjtrains on April 09, 2012, 04:22:54 PM

Excellent, RS; very creative work; a talented sculptor, for sure!

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: tracker on April 09, 2012, 04:44:48 PM

Hemingway might call it, The Old Man and the Tree.

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: Z on April 09, 2012, 05:45:30 PM

Awesome artwork.
Thanks for sharing it with us! :)

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: mz368 on April 09, 2012, 06:13:13 PM

Excellent way to remember a favorite tree.  Hope to see another picture when it's done.

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: Richard S on April 10, 2012, 07:01:04 AM

Thank you, gentlemen. The sculptor is of Cherokee Indian heritage, which shows in his work.  Many of the folk-art sculptors of wood in the Great Smoky Mountains perform their work with chain saws of assorted size, some of the smaller saws having tapered blades designed specifically for carving. This artist also works in the traditional way -- with hammer and chisel. 

It will be interesting to see the end result. I have no idea what it will be, having given the sculptor complete artistic control of the project. I did, though, hear some reference to an owl or an eagle or both.  I gathered that, since the artist had discovered and given form to the the tree's "spirit," he will be working as that "spirit" directs. When it comes to such matters, I have found that it is often best simply to stay out of the way.   

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: theirishguard on April 10, 2012, 12:01:20 PM

Richard, I know that you have decided to keep your hair a little longer,but had idea it was now that long and wooly. ;)  Tom

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: Richard S on April 10, 2012, 02:22:02 PM

Tom:

It's what I call the "Charlton Heston/Moses" look.

(http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz1/glapido/charlton_heston_as_moses.jpg)

 ;D

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: tracker on April 10, 2012, 02:25:06 PM

"From my cold, dead hand."

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: Richard S on April 10, 2012, 02:33:23 PM

Quote from: tracker on April 10, 2012, 02:25:06 PM

"From my cold, dead hand."

"Yea, verily, I say unto you . . . .!"

Title: Re: Spirit of the Tree at Critter Creek
Post by: yankee2500 on April 10, 2012, 06:51:18 PM

Richard, thats a great way to make use of a dead tree.  ;D