The beginning of another paddle carving
(Later to be called “Transformation”)
A couple of solid days carving: canoe, whale, otter, fish and human torso. The more I carve, the more there seems left to be done. I whittle away all day. The carving does look better, yet I seem to be expecting more progress. All in all I see this as a fair undertaking for a novice carver, then again, I am enjoying seeing the figures appear. I am having thoughts of the differences in approaches between a build-up and a take-away sculpting process.
Another day
This note is in reference to the driftwood piece that eventually becomes “Transformation.”
Solid carving again on “Multi Sculpture.” It is difficult to see where the day went, yet it is in the sculpture somewhere.
Another day
Yes, more carving, morning till night. The dogfish finally has taken some shape. I have been looking forward to seeing something tangible in that blank spot. The whale portions of the sculpture amaze me. I am rather pleased with the results and surprised at my ability to carve it.
Days pass
As time feels less distinct than it has been. It feels as though only a few days have passed since I last wrote. I feel a need to finish the piece. As I carve and begin to see what is happening in the piece, it dawns on me that everything is becoming one.
Transformation
Although there is some distinction between one character and another, there are also parts that are the same. There is unity, and I am surprised at how cosmic or philosophical that is sounding!
At this point, the piece is taking on meaning. Things are not necessarily as I at first wanted them to be. I am finding that if I let things be what they want to be, they can become even more beautiful than I would have at first imagined. I am fascinated as I have just discovered another whale in the piece and as I take away wood to expose the body of the whale, the same action is making the heron more distinct. This shaping is, as well, making the other whale more distinct…and I don’t do drugs! Back to the carving.
Another day
As I carve, I come to understand more about the piece, and how each part holds significance. If I have not removed some part of the wood piece, then I adopt the attitude that it remains for some other purpose. In this piece there exists both all I know and all I do not know. All will be in the “I” of the beholder.
The piece is truly beginning to take shape. I remind myself to relax, to be patient, and, to let it become what it wants to become.
Upon re-reading this note, I recognize that I have not, in my writing process, been applying lessons I have learned while sculpting. I am now determined to merge my sculpting insights with my intuitive reflections in the most beautiful way I am capable, and I have been at a loss as to how to do so. I am not presently seeing a way through to a finished work. Furthermore, I am going to take my own advice. The written, sculpted piece is really beginning to take shape. I shall relax, be patient, and the process will evolve in its own way, and in its own time.
I am following my own advice as I remind myself again:
“Don’t be concerned about what it is going to be or what it is going to look like. It is not presently about what I can’t do, what I am not able to do. It is about what I am presently able to do. Do that.”I’m returning to old notes and putting them together. I am able to do that. I am feeling better already!
Same day continues, a short note
Hope, trust, love,
life, grace, wonder,
care, fragility, strength.
An amazing piece.
Yet another day
I have spent more carving today-although not for as long as I would have liked. The piece is starting to look more complete now, as if most of the questions have been answered. Still, I feel a restlessness to finish the piece. I am managing to remain patient, knowing that patience is of primary importance. I recognize there is still a good deal of finishing work to be done.
The carving process continues to amaze me. I am letting myself go, relaxing, and having my relaxed mind take care of guiding the carving tools. I feel almost as an observer-although not totally detached. I have an impression that all the knowledge of how to carve the figures, is already within me. That said, I do refer to reference images at times-for instance, when wondering what an otter’s front leg look like? I have merely allowed myself, through trust and presence, to carve as I feel comfortable. This is not to say I am intellectually skilled in sculpture carving for if I were to approach carving using my intellect or former training I might give up, knowing, understanding that neither have been my strengths. Instead, I have approached the process without thinking, more with trust in the process, and I find those results to be quite wondrous. Even if this statement sounds a little corny. Intellectually, I cannot imagine that I could have planned the design near as well as it has turned out, by just letting go and picking the shapes out intuitively. I intend to further direct myself to this intuitive process.
This has been my first intentionally non-intellectual carving effort- a process guided by trust rather than thought-and it has inspired me deeply.
Another day
I wake this morning and feel amazed at how much metaphor is embedded in the sculpture. So much meaning continues to unfold before me! I marvel at how much there is to see in this piece. My thoughts leap to a vision of the paddle sculpture and how it too continues to gain meaning, rich in metaphor and significance.
As I consider inserting additional figures into the canoe, as I had been imagining that possibility, I am struck by the paradox that the choice of expression is mine. The mind boggles with all the meaning revealed. I just would not know where to start to write it all down, or rather, I am not prepared to write it now. For now, I choose to work directly on the piece. I am excited about all that continues to unfold. I am deeply grateful to be doing this piece.
Another day
Carve, sand: carve again; then sand some more-definitely a lot of both today. I started about 8:30 am, and it is now 11:00 pm and I have just finished up for the day It is difficult to discern what has changed-there is a little more shape now…little more smoothness…fewer rough edges.
Another day
As the sculpture evolves, defects in the wood of the figures have become more noticeable, yet the less attention I give them, the less they seem to matter.
Another day
Pondering…paddles that are unique, yet non-functional as paddles. Isn’t that interesting? I have been wondering why I have had this inclination to express both canoe and paddles. It does not appear to be connected to Aboriginal culture or a specific tradition, canoe appears here as metaphor.
Another day
Going against the grain is not very productive.
Another day
I am considering that I would want the sculpture to go to a good home. Numerous people have suggested that I keep it; although I am not personally feeling compelled. Either way, I‘ll be content regardless. Ironically enough, it‘s just another piece of driftwood.
Another day
I feel comfortable now, I can stop working on the sculpture if I choose to, or continue working on it if that feels like the thing to do. I am at peace. Imperfections are no longer imperfections. Those not able to handle imperfections will, themselves, have to deal with that.
Another day
The carving of the sculpture is finished!
It is ready to be launched. I am deeply satisfied. I thank the piece for everything it has done for me on my life’s journey. I am sure that this is not the end of the journey of connecting, only this chapter. I have no idea where the canoe will continue to take me. I am certain that it will be rewarding.
The paddles are becoming more symbolically clear to me. Early in the process, I had been at a loss as to why paddles and canoe. Each day I get a little more insight. There is meaning here.
Another day
Gawd, what an awesome piece. Is this the result when one gives up the steersman’s paddle? I do believe it is. How happy I am that I have open-mindedly allowed myself to take this approach with sculpting and now, too, with life. I believe I am converting to this attitude toward living. I gain more confidence each day.
I was not working with traditional carving implements when I described my actions as “carving.” The tool I was, for the most part, working with was a hand-held air die grinder, which incorporates various carbide bits or sanding drum attachments. This was the carving tool I had on hand when I began the sculpting process. I have been using chainsaws for cutting firewood, skill saws and table saws for home building and such tools as drills and grinders as needed. I did not have curved knives or specialty gouges, so the air and power tools were doing the exploration.
During this exploration, I did make a couple of adzes, yet for the most part I had less familiarity with the hand tools, so continued without those more traditional tools. Goggles and ear protection added to my regalia.
I was engaged in a sculpting take-away process. I was removing wood to reveal more of each figure. I carved slowly, unconcerned with the amount of time the process was taking, unconcerned with the selling of the piece, unconcerned with making a living, unconcerned with the meaning of the piece. I just carved away the material that did not feel, or that did not appear to be, part of the piece.