This is a new piece that I made for the Women in Wood Exhibit at Arrowmont. The vessel is walnut about 6" tall and the curl is probably 17" or so. The sphere is around 3" diameter. I call it "Watch Over Me". I'm trying to be a little more narrative in the things I make. Trying to tell stories with them. It all started with the Sojourner pieces I've made. I've come to find that artwork that encourages me to either think up my own story, or tells me one, is work that I'm most attracted to. So make up your own story if you wish but for me this one represents the basic human need for feeling safe and comforted. A child, a parent, a spouse, a soldier, a fireman we all need that.
The vessel and ball were decorated with a wood burner. The ball sits in a small divot so it won't roll away. The curl was cut on a bandsaw and then finished up with a reciprocating spindle sander, textured and covered with black dye. The curl is made from pecan. I don't recommend this wood to anybody who is trying carve or shape it into something it's not. It is hard as a rock. So hard that the dye didn't penetrate all that far. When I started rubbing it out it rubbed through and so I just went with it.
