Hot off the Workbench

I just finished these three pieces. The first is the first carving I've finished since I've been back in Alaska I call this piece "Story Fish". It was inspired by a traditional Yupi'k fish that was originally done in bone with scrimshaw on it. The original had tons more drawings, entire hunting and animal migration scenes. My fish is red cedar driftwood with a pickled stain and drawings in acrylic. Glass beads are inset for the eyes. The fish is 12" long by 3" wide, and is mounted with a brass rod on a natural driftwood base, so it can swivel to show the other side.

The drawings on this side are, top to bottom: sandhill cranes grazing on the tundra, a seal chased by a big fish, traditional design.



Story Fish side B
Sandhill cranes in flight, reindeer herder followed by his dog (at the base of the tail), his herding dog, and two reindeer, numerous fish swim along the bottom, framed by traditional design elements.


The other two pieces are more of the shadow boxes. The first one is called "Greet the Sun". It is gouache on paper, with a root tree, covered with brass wire and glass beads. The robin is carved cottonwood bark. You can't see his nest very well, woven of copper wire, with three blue glass bead eggs. The box is hand-built of poplar, with acrylic paint and glass beads. Size is 12.5" x 5" x 3" deep.


The third piece is "Sockeye Run". It is goauche on paper, with carved cottonwood bark salmon. The box is hand-built of pine with acrylic paint and glass beads. Finished size is 12.5" x 5" x 1" deep.










View from the top showing skeleton fish - painted on all four sides. It's spawning season when the reds run upriver!