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Learning from Sand Patterns
A section of the texture I’ve been carving into my crane sculpture.
I’ve learned a lot from studying sand patterns at the beach over the past few months. I’m always astounded at how such beautiful formations result from the erosive interactions of just a handful of elements- the density of different sands, slope of the beach grade, the continual play of surf and drying effect of sunshine.
I try to apply these lessons as I texture the fared contours of my wooden crane sculpture for our Tsuru project, cutting parallel channels that follow the arc of the grain over compound curves. The process takes concentration but is easy going with my very sharp 1.5″ Japanese gouge. When the wooden form is finally cast in bronze, the ridges of my chisel marks will be slightly highlighted with burnishing and their line patterns will recall the feathers of a large soaring bird while remaining true to the inherent tautness of the mother material.
Beauty becomes intrinsic to a thing only when its pursuit is incidental to the process.
Picnic at Willow Creek
Simple ingredients that pack easily and combine well make for an ideal picnic.
As much as I love to cook, some of my favorite meals are simple assemblages, preferably packed as a picnic for a day of hiking or paddling. Nothing tastes better than a few simple ingredients carefully chosen to complement the season and the destination.
Beginning by the coast where Willow Creek drains to the Russian River, Ene and I hiked inland along the marshes that flank the stream, making our way up to where willow, cattail and cottonwood give way to oak and bay. We found an abandoned barn and spread our larder of goat cheese, smoked salmon, walnut baguette, radishes and cress, finished off with steaming hot tea and dried apricots. We sat in the sun listening to the creek gather itself, Ene cut some willow’s catkin and we made our return, energized by the tea and our delicious picnic at Willow Creek.
Cattails and willow grow in abundance in marshes flanking Willow Creek.
An abandoned barn is the perfect hiking destination for a picnic.
My Swedish military backpack has plenty of room for picnic gear and spare clothes.
Tsuru Progress
I still refer to my original model of Tsuru as the full scale version nears completion. (photo by John Whalen)
I’ve been shaping the final contours of my wooden crane sculpture for our Tsuru project in Denver. It’s been an arduous but satisfying exercise carving a form in wood at this scale, mostly because the form progresses so slowly working primarily with hand tools. I’ve learned that I need to keep focused on a particular, formal strategy for the shape to emerge naturally, which has required serious mental and physical discipline. The whole process has been a kind of duration meditation. My strategy has been to begin with the joint, the intersection where the wings cross the torso and get the ‘core’ to make sense, then articulate the edges, then interpolate the surface contours connecting the core with the extremities. Over the next few days I will smooth the entire surface and begin to experiment with surface patterns and textures. Once the wooden form is complete it will be delivered to Artworks Foundry to be cast in bronze.
The near complete bird has about a 9′ wingspan
My arsenal of hand tools for carving the crane.
To learn more about the development of our Tsuru project, please click here.
Fluke Patina
Aiya created a beautiful patina for our Fluke sculpture at Berkeley’s Artworks Foundry
Ene and I met with Aiya at Berkeley’s Artworks Foundry to inspect the patina she’s been layering up on our Fluke sculpture before it’s sealed and delivered to Santa Cruz for installation. While the patina will be maintained by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center where Fluke is to be sited, the combination of a marine climate and frequent, physical interaction with the public will eventually create its own patina. We directed Aiya to anticipate this in the way she layered her colors and burnished the high spots that will receive the most wear by touch, and we’re all extremely proud of the results.
To learn more about the development of our Fluke Project, please click here.
Scanning the Horizon
The first storms hit after the driest stretch of winter on record. Pounding surf and driving rain have obliterated the intricate sand patterns and frothy backlit lines of foam at my favorite beach, and I find myself scanning the horizon as I hike the shore, wary of sneaker waves but thrilled by the prospect. Projects typically slow down a notch during storms as our priorities shift to clearing gutters, tarping piles, stocking up on dry kindling, firewood and candles in anticipation of losing power. It’s a good time to take stock and put things in perspective, eyes on the horizon.
