The Journeyer
The Journeyer is one of the first carvings in a new series I’ve begun. It treats the theme of a spiritual type journey most of us embark upon at different times in our life. This version of the solitary pilgrimage is especially related to two Tarot cards, The Fool and The Hermit.
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| The Journeyer Basswood with stain & Oil Paints 8" x 7" x 7/8" |
The Hermit
These relief carvings are part of my series depicting themes from the Tarot cards. This female version of the well-known Tarot archetype includes a companion bird who accompanies The Hermit on her spiritual journey.
The theme of this Tarot Arcanum is that of the solitary and inward-looking journey. It points to a time for silent and mature reflection upon our life's experience, and a time to be guided by our own inner light.
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| L'Hermite Basswood with stain 6-3/4" x 6-3/4" x 3/4" |
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| The Hermit with Her Bird Relief carving in Pine with Oil Paint 9" x 9" x 3/4" |
Moon Shields
The carvings in this series are inspired by the symbolism of both the Marseilles Tarot and Native American culture. Tarot Arcanum XVIII, The Moon, is a powerful archetypal symbol portraying the deeper places in our soul. It represents imagination, creative inspiration, the forces lying beneath our consciousness, and also our family ties and other roots. Here, I have carved the Moon in the form of a shield to represent the idea of the Native American vision Quest. Beneath this image of the Moon, which was inspired by the tradition of Northwest Coast moon masks, there lies a seeker in a somewhat dreamlike state of openness, awaiting to receive his or her vision.
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| La Lune Relief carving in Pine with Oil Paint 6-5/8" x 6-5/8" x 3/4" |
Here is a second and slightly larger version of the same design. (I am also presently working on other versions of this same theme.)
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| Moon Visions Relief carving in Pine with Oil Paint 9" x 9" x 3/4" |
Wall Plaques & Key Holders
These small plaques are personal interpretations of themes from the Marseilles Tarot Deck. |
| L'Hermite Carved Pine Plaque with Stain & Pyrography 4-1/2" x 7-1/4" x 3/4" |
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| La Lune Plaque in Pine with Stain, Oil Paint & Pyrography 4-1/2" x 8-1/4" x 3/4" |
Skywoman
the Iroquois Creation Story
This carving relates the story of how Turtle Island, the First Nations name for North America, was created. There exist several versions of this story.
The story always begins up in the Sky World where the Sky People live. A pregnant woman is looking at an uprooted tree when suddenly, clutching a handful of seeds and grass, she falls through a hole beneath the tree. She descends downwards on a beam of light towards our world, which is at that time covered by a great ocean. A group of birds come to greet the woman and they escort her to the giant turtle who suddenly appears swimming towards them.
She is placed upon the turtle's back and several small aquatic animals dive into the ocean to fetch clumps of earth for her, which she then arranges on the turtle's back. The Sky Woman plants the seeds that she was carrying in her hand and the earth begins to grow and grow and grow. . . Soon she gives birth, and the story of Turtle Island continues.
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| Skywoman Falling Relief carving in Pine with stain 9-1/8" x 11-7/8" x 3/4" |
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| Skywoman Falling, Detail |
