One week ago, I was walking home and noticed a branch had fallen onto the sidewalk up ahead. I was able to lift the branch out of my path, but turning it over I noticed my next project.. Thou I will have to wait until next spring to official begin on it.. I made some cuts and brought it in for the curing.
Image Above: "Horns Of The Buffalo" (A Medicine Man's Wand Incomplete)
Many years of floral art have left me with a collection of pieces of wood in various shapes and sizes. Always keep an eye open for interesting bits to bring home and my pockets are often filled with pods, seedheads and the like. Autumn is a wonderful time for collecting an array of Nature's treasures.
There's a 3-page spread of my designs in The Flower Arranger this coming month using up some of my collectables.
It Has Been Said..
By a number of craftsmen or artisans.. that one should not share their work.. in fear that one will correct their own works or risk competition.. I've offered many of my works (images) online to inspire others and allow others to see what I've been able to accomplish with limited use of my hands and arms..
Yet these persons I've been seeking approval from, informed em that they do not wish to see my art/work in fear that it will corrupt their own ideas and thoughts.. it is true to some degree that if one views another persons art.. one can become inspired to be more creative.. However.. the one viewing the others art or work.. actually loses something within themselves to someone else.. If this has any barring on the subject..
For me its an accomplishment in the knowing I did it.. and with not allot of tools or skills.. I've had persons ask that I sell my work.. But I can't bare to part with any of it.. Case in point.. I have one of my first Staves.. made from a cherry tree.. that has a channel wrapped around it from top to bottom.. Within this channel I placed Tiger Eye and Unakite.. While creating a Amethyst and Sun stone head piece..
I've since named it: The "UnEnchanted Staff Of Healing" and had it for sale for about three months.. After which I did not have anyone willing to pay my asking price.. and my wife stepped forward and claimed the Staff as her own..
Perhaps I set the price to high in an attempt to not sell it.. In the knowing my wife would get it anyway.
I look forward to sharing our thoughts on using nature within our art to create these magical things or totems.
Update: "Horns Of The Buffalo"
I've been systematically searching and sending out emails to a number of buffalo farms in and around our area.. as of yet no one has responded to my request for scraps of leather or fur from the head or neck area of a buffalo.
I'm not giving up hope thou I may have a longer wait..
Update: "Horns Of The Buffalo"
Over the summer we took a trip to Cherokee, NC and searched several native american shops along the way.. one of the first shops had furs on sale.. and I was able to locate a black wolf fur pelt.. but what caught my eye, in the corner of the shop in a display case was a "Horned Snake".
According to legend..
It's unclear if my vision of my medicine mans vise is to be named "Horns of the Buffalo" or "Horns of the Snake"
Thou locating and having the fur is the next step..
Continues..