" The other day I signed one of my ukes for the very first time... I was thinking that I've made a few hundred objects from spearheads to furniture and everything in between, and I've rarely if ever signed a thing. The energy flows through me and I am not the source... it's larger than me and I only dare to do my part with a humble spirit. I'm honored to be a useful tool for Creativity..."
"Dawn Patrol" 6ft x 3ft x 2ft wide $ 7000 US
'The most difficult thing I've completed', and my personal photoghraghic nemesis, Dawn Patrol took up a year and a half of my free time. You may guess I was living ten yards from the North Shore of Maui at the time... For those of you not familiar with the expression, Dawn Patrol is surfer's code. It means up, ready, and out to the break before dawn to get the best, glassy waves before all the sleepyheads show up. It's a level of desire, to me, a passion for life...
Main body with rolling diagonal sides, mostly African Mahogany. Top wave, several types of Teak and some Pheasant wood under the wave. Morning sun, Koa with alternating Aphromosia and Koa rays. Drawer face, carved African Mahogany again, and finally, the lower level repeats the wave motif, and is African and Phillipine Mahogany. Suitable to be viewed from all sides. Glows in an amazing way in evening light... yet defies a good photo.
This singular table, unfortinately for me, is a bit large for the places I can afford to rent. It would take a long paragraph to describe completely, but let me start by saying all the diagonals were carved, then bound together, then made into sides, trimmed, fitted, sanded and finally installed into the body. The top is made of 3/4 inch thick solid woods, held together by more than fifty 'biscuits', and has an underlayment of plywood. No nails or screws were used... it's all solid woods. The bottom I designed late; I knew I wanted to do something, but left it to later inspiration... I soon realized that all of the pieces had to be set at the same time! That was the only way it would work, so I invited a couple of friends for a very lively twenty minute rush glue session when I was finally ready. Since it was unveiled, Dawn Patrol has recieved a lot of attention, and a few good offers have been denied. Serious Inquiries Only
Main body with rolling diagonal sides, mostly African Mahogany. Top wave, several types of Teak and some Pheasant wood under the wave. Morning sun, Koa with alternating Aphromosia and Koa rays. Drawer face, carved African Mahogany again, and finally, the lower level repeats the wave motif, and is African and Phillipine Mahogany. Suitable to be viewed from all sides. Glows in an amazing way in evening light... yet defies a good photo.
This singular table, unfortinately for me, is a bit large for the places I can afford to rent. It would take a long paragraph to describe completely, but let me start by saying all the diagonals were carved, then bound together, then made into sides, trimmed, fitted, sanded and finally installed into the body. The top is made of 3/4 inch thick solid woods, held together by more than fifty 'biscuits', and has an underlayment of plywood. No nails or screws were used... it's all solid woods. The bottom I designed late; I knew I wanted to do something, but left it to later inspiration... I soon realized that all of the pieces had to be set at the same time! That was the only way it would work, so I invited a couple of friends for a very lively twenty minute rush glue session when I was finally ready. Since it was unveiled, Dawn Patrol has recieved a lot of attention, and a few good offers have been denied. Serious Inquiries Only
"Stepping Out" a college graduation present Crosshatched Pen and Ink
"FALLEN ANGEL" A very long term 'work in progress; inspired by a huge bronze outside of the Museum in Santiago, Chile, 1990. Fibreglas resin and wire figurines... marble 'cloud'. Twenty seven primary feathers each wing, all removable for shaping, etc. (each feather has a wire core that fits into the wing body...endless details.) I'd love to finish this some fine day, but then I'd want to do it again in bronze. Eventually, I'll paint the 'living' brightest white with rainbow accents, while the 'dying' will be greying out with the last light leaving him... The original truly moved me, I hope to get at least some of that emotion through. Approx. 2 ft. tall.
FLINT KNAPPING I learned to make arrowheads and spearheads 15 years ago, and for a while all I thought of was making more... there are a couple hundred of them laying around. Here, I've bound one into a mahogany shaft carved into the likeness of an elk.
WATERSPORTS I helped the Polynesians build seven wooden canoes one summer... some were forty feet long! I took some huge scraps home and made surfboards, but more important, the experience of mingling with master carvers from throughout the Pacific is invaluable. Many paddles of all sizes followed.
WATERSPORTS I helped the Polynesians build seven wooden canoes one summer... some were forty feet long! I took some huge scraps home and made surfboards, but more important, the experience of mingling with master carvers from throughout the Pacific is invaluable. Many paddles of all sizes followed.
People ask me to help them with projects, and I enjoy being of service with unusual tasks, so I get to make some cool stuff every now and then. Like a seven foot tall 'Indonesian Death Effigy' corner stand in the guise of a serpent. Made of Keave tree.
I'd love to say I carved this modest tusk, but I only made the very modest display case...
And framed a friend's 'catch of a lifetime' eight pound octopus print(who was trying to steal a near state record fish that he'd just speared).
Lower down, a Koa art stand
I'd love to say I carved this modest tusk, but I only made the very modest display case...
And framed a friend's 'catch of a lifetime' eight pound octopus print(who was trying to steal a near state record fish that he'd just speared).
Lower down, a Koa art stand
How could we forget the other furniture? Teak and Mahogany angled knitting rocker, with 'Dawn Patrol' headboard. Computer chair with 'Dawn Patrol' backrest of Aphromosia and Mahogany. A familiar motif in our house... 'seize the day'. Life is short.
THANKS FOR DROPPING IN TODAY.... HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW! It's time to get back into the shop, Adios for now. JRR
THANKS FOR DROPPING IN TODAY.... HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW! It's time to get back into the shop, Adios for now. JRR