A random piece of wood hidden in a 4 acre lumber yard stacked high with reclaimed wood. This termite infested weather worn, crooked wooden slab... perfect for reclaiming. What I did not expect were all the memories that came up reclaiming this distinctive piece of wood. There many "inner hostilities" I confronted during the process. Some memories surfaced because of the raw and rough nature of this piece of wood. I wanted to control how to reclaim this piece, it was a large and heavy object with sharp edges. The surface was hard to interpret with the numerous pores, crevices and holes and frankly it confused me. So much to heal to bring this piece back to life.
When I am alone working in my studio, listening to the silent sounds of the desert, I kept pondering the restoration of life especially mine. There was a sense of hostility and confrontation, just by looking at the lifeless slab lying on the table. The hostility is depicted by the jagged, sharp pitted edge as well as the size of the piece. This lifeless but beautiful fragment of a once prosperous living entity; a majestic Sycamore tree existing in the wilderness was my task for reclamation. I am certain, that when God saw my life- He saw the same challenge.
When I am alone working in my studio, listening to the silent sounds of the desert, I kept pondering the restoration of life especially mine. There was a sense of hostility and confrontation, just by looking at the lifeless slab lying on the table. The hostility is depicted by the jagged, sharp pitted edge as well as the size of the piece. This lifeless but beautiful fragment of a once prosperous living entity; a majestic Sycamore tree existing in the wilderness was my task for reclamation. I am certain, that when God saw my life- He saw the same challenge.
My first time working with Sycamore wood. The wood was decrepit, very crooked and twisted. Not even sure if it the front of the piece could be saved. I took a chance that I could restore this piece of wood.
Part of a 11' Sycamore slab. One of the first photos after I washed the layers of dirt and dust off the piece exposing the grain of the wood and the "live" edges. The slab was cut down to 7' from 11'. It brought back memories of my transition from a 9'6" surfboard to my first shorter board of around 7'. I don't know the significance of that, if it was an unconscious decision but it released that memory.