Popular Post jack English machine Posted June 8, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 On my mom's side we have family with a ranch way up in the Uinta mountains.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uinta_MountainsThe ranch is at 8000 feet and is really still very wild. most of the farms are free range. most of the land does't support farming anymore and now has oil that rigs have taken the land over. My last visit there was in the late 80s to see my grand dad who was close to 90 at the time. One thing i will never forget is the smell of the pinyon pine that grew in large groves there. the oil rigs crews were up rooting the pinyon trees around the oil pumps and they were just left to brush piles as waste. the pinyon pine is the tree the edible nuts come from and are closely related to the oldest trees in the world the bristlecone Pinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristlecone_pineI may have read by then George Nakashima's the soul of a tree as i did for many years collect odd trees for their wood after reading it. I was at the least sawing through and through by then. I could only count the rings in what i call the early growth (the first 150 years) as the rings were about as wide as that pin needle in that area of growth. I marked off my life of 52 years and mark it off in 10 years marks to get an idea of age. slow growth My best estimate is the tree is 350 to 400 years old . As is often the case with the wood we hold on to there comes a time when the wood speaks to you. It becomes relevant to the moment and all its glory is opened up like storm clouds to a crystal clear vision of what it should be. This wood was not anything special looking but very old but only I knew what it was and it was import for me to respect its time on earth living. There are times when as a worker of wood we are asked or compelled to make something special . A monument with meaning. It's not a task i take lightly and only with reverence when i am asked. This old wood found me again and reminded me why the world is what it is and that how we see and live in it is the most profound lesson in life. we must look for the beauty in things and and "stop and smell the roses" as they say. I lost a sister a mother of twins last summer and her daughters my two nieces asked me to make them a box for there mothers ashes. Marit was a free living artist of eminence talent and with integrity i could only hope to have . there was no way the corners on this box could trap her and so i made the "Unbox" for her. I will miss her dearly as will all who knew her. A special thank you to Karin McBride for the moose hide and Camy for the osprey feather. thank you for looking 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 I've had to do one of these "boxes" and it was probably the most difficult thing I've ever built because of the emotion tied to it. Beautiful work! Condolences for your loss. Thanks for sharing a great story! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Sorry for the loss of your sister. That's a great story you have shared with us. I have had the privilege of building, with other family members, 5 caskets; for my mom, dad, 2 sisters, and a 3 month old grandson. Being involved in the death process is a good thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 My condolences for your loss. Very interesting story and very nice work on the box. It's apparent the wood lent to the craft and not the other way around, as with most designs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Sorry for your loss..I also agree that being involved is a good thing..My mistake was to let it take me down.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 My condolances, Jack, and thank you for sharing your beautiful work. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack English machine Posted June 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 4 minutes ago, mat60 said: Sorry for your loss..I also agree that being involved is a good thing..My mistake was to let it take me down.. Myself and my sister would have long talks on on the aesthetics of art . We often claimed that those that could see sat on the rim looking Down and observing . The rim was where it was all happening not in the centre where all the noise was coming from . The burl is the rim looking down on the nest . The two pearls are her twin daughters and the ever widening arrow is leading them out to expand while she watches . That's is what I was trying to visually express . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 56 minutes ago, jack English machine said: Myself and my sister would have long talks on on the aesthetics of art . We often claimed that those that could see sat on the rim looking Down and observing . The rim was where it was all happening not in the centre where all the noise was coming from . The burl is the rim looking down on the nest . The two pearls are her twin daughters and the ever widening arrow is leading them out to expand while she watches . That's is what I was trying to visually express . You succeeded, beautifully! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 1 minute ago, RichardA said: You succeeded, beautifully! Thank you! Ya he did.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Jack, I am sorry for your loss, but I believe your sister would be pleased with, and proud of, the artistry and emotion you poured into this resting place for her earthly remains. Well done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack English machine Posted June 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Thank you to all that commented on my sister lt wasn't the intent of the thread but it is wonderful . I've carried many woods with me some in my possession for almost 40 years . this reminded me that that is not necessarily a bad thing . Yes it's important to not horde wood or waste it but it's also important to find its purpose . The wood was extremely well seasoned and when working it The fragrance of those Pinegrove's was released in the shop . The project was one of 1 million senses . Thank you all for your comments I rather enjoyed them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 Gorgeous in a lot of ways! Thanks for sharing. There is always extra sadness for those who have left too early. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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