Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Naturally Sculpted Wood Art

Ever get tired of looking at a sunset? Or the first blooms in spring? Well, that's how we are with driftwood. Each piece is uniquely sculpted by nature. Each piece has its own story to tell, no two are alike, just as each person who looks at the driftwood sees something different.

This giant Dave is standing beside is on the shores of Powell Lake, a man made lake about 30 miles long. In 1909 with a working capital of $1 million, the Powell River Paper Company planned a huge undertaking of damning up what was then the shortest river in the world to produce a hydro-electric generation system to supply their mill. That began the construction of the 25,000 HP dam across the river and the two machine paper mill. Many disasters and hair pulling events later, the first rolls of paper came off #1 machine April 12,1912. That fledgling company went on to be the biggest pulp and paper producer in the world with 9 machines. Today we are about back to the beginning with only 3 machines, yet a thriving town, the "Pearl of the Sunshine Coast."

All that history lesson to tell you that roots like what Dave is standing beside were once all under fresh water for over 70-80 years before they shook themselves free and popped to the surface for artists like us to find.

Hope this gave you a little better understanding of where some of our wood comes from.
Barb and Dave

Picture this specimen in your yard...the wood not the guy! Posted by Hello

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Dave polishes up a sign post

Just like the caption says with the picture "A man and his wood will not be parted" Dave was enjoying polishing this post. This sign post isn't even driftwood...Oh horrors ..says Barb, but Dave likes its personality anyway. It's a 7 ft.cedar branch with an arm that appears to have what I would call warts all the way up it, giving it character. ...like the gent lost in the wonderful world of wood!

With the gales behind us Dave celebrates a warm summer day by working on his wood.
Sign posts, blogger posts, all shared with our global community.
Enjoy!!
Barb

A man and his wood will not be parted. Posted by Hello

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

May Marvels of Wood

On this typical unpredicatable May day, we were enjoying a break in the rain storms and quickly shot some photos of our ever increasing "driftwood garden." Our son has a little truck now, so this pile will grow faster , just like our seedlings in the gardens.

The bigger roots like the one whose arms reach out about 6 ft. would make marvelous landscaping additions. We also carry smaller pieces some of which Barb has used for decorative additions to planter pots.
Powell River area and its surrounding lakes provide us with an endless supply of natures creations. You too could have one of these in your yard just by contacting us.

Cheers!

Dave
"One of a kind wood art."

Stump on its side about 3 ft across, great for a garden. Posted by Hello

A sold swirl of unique grain and movement Posted by Hello

A stand of wooden petals Posted by Hello

A proud specimen. Posted by Hello

6 ft arms across, stands 2 ft high Posted by Hello

Monday, May 09, 2005

Spring has Sprung with Driftwood!

Spring has really sprung with driftwood as plentiful as the dandelions! There are now 4 driftwood junkies in our family all squeezed into a Hyundai Elantra. You guessed it,Elantra's weren't designed to haul driftwood of any size and yet that is what we ask of it everytime we "just" go up the lake to check things out.

This past Saturday was that kind of a day. It looked like the little car would be safe that trip because the lake was so high all the wood was floating off shore...WRONG! Hooked on driftwood,meant getting more creative to fish, hook,plead and risk swimming for the elusive wooden creatures tempting us. By the time we'd been there very long, the trunk was over flowing with wood. By the time we'd had a weinnie roast, there were 2 fire smoked pieces inside the car too. Me thinks we need a bigger vehicle!

All that work paid off in some of the most artistic sculptures we've found in a long while. They will make beautiful garden pieces. One of them resembles a seal complete with eye and nose and now resides in our front yard.

Yes spring has sprung and so have the springs on the poor little car!
Creatively yours,
Dave

From the depths of the lake could it be a monster poking up at us? Posted by Hello