Life Phase Spirit

[Cottonwood]

Recently I made a trip to my boyhood home in Central Kansas and picked up some bark from a tree that was quite old sixty years ago. It was hit by lightening a few times because it was the tallest thing around. On another thread Forrest ask me what I was going to carve in it because I had told him that the bark from the old tree was sort of special to me. Several things have come together that have influenced the carving that finally emerged from the old tree's bark. One was Dave's posting of the Great Spirit Prayer on the memorial thread honoring White Cree and the other was probably the fact that my next show is at Washungah Days where the people of the Kaw Nation, and other Native Americans, gather yearly at Council Grove, Kansas. As special as the bark from the old tree is, I will probably take it to the show because I do have some more bark from the tree and it would be a thrill if a Native American liked it well enough to buy it!

Has anyone else waited to carve in "special wood" until the project just seemed right for it?

[GaryMc]

Very nice carving Millard. I'm sure it will a special one to nay that see it.
GaryMc

[feb]

Very nice Millard. Ilike the way you did the bandana and feather, also great detail.

Feb

[Lightningbolt]

That was a fantastic story and I had to read it twice to be sure that all of the details stuck. In todays "hustle n' bustle" fast paced society it's refreshing to read something that's meaningful beyond the surface, so thank's for that. I'm also thrilled that the Great Spirit Prayer had some influence on this absolutely beautiful detailed carving. The detail really made it special.

I'm glad that you have more of the bark from that special tree that goes back to your boyhood because if there was only one piece then I'd have a problem letting it go at ANY price. My own dad passed away in 1998 and the following year I made a triangular box for the flag presented to us by the Veterans Administration for his service during WWII. I made it from 10 different species of wood laminated together and from the wood that I gathered from his woodshop and most of it had been cut on his own backyard sawmill over the years with some of it dating back to my own boyhood. I did add a chip carving of his name on the inside and this display box is something that is very special to me and I could never imagine seperating from it.

Carvings with special meaning are the most powerful kind. Thanks for sharing the story and the carving!

[chpster90bu]

Millard...I just couldn't go to bed tonight without first commenting on your wonderful piece.....it struck me so! I was drawn to that face for several minutes.....so realistic! You just did a fabulous job on that carving in it's entirety! Bonnie

[gene-messer]

Millard .. I have to agree with Bonnie .. That face is excellent .. and the colorful haed band is superb ..

great piece of art ..

Gene

[markken5889]

Great piece of work, and a great story too. I've got a few "special pieces" of wood set aside waiting for them to tell me what to do with 'em.

Mark

[tnartist05]

Millard, You really brought something from your past back to life! The old leather woren look on his face tells of all the hardships Native Americans had to face but it was the ones from the white face people,us. You really did such excellent work on this carving and carving his beads plus your painting is just wonderfull.I know it would be a honor to have a Native American buy this carving from you but too its a honor in itself with it being your 1st one you carved from your boyhood,I would keep it if it was me. Sure you can carve others from the pieces you still have but the 1st one is a special one.
You did a very GREAT job on this carving,Im proud of you and for you. Forrest

[Merle Rice]

Hi Millard, Wonderful Story and Piece of ART. You really captured the Facial features and Skin tones. I like it . Merle

[Mike_B-NY]

Millard,

That is one of the most exceptional faces I've ever seen carved... out of anything. And thank you for including the background that went with it.

You asked about "special wood"... absolutely! Some have been carved, several are still waiting in various nooks-n-crannies of the shop. That waiting for the right project status is especially true for gift pieces of wood and/or woods that have a history. I always try to "honor the wood". This is not unusual among woodcarvers, but gifted or storied wood deserves extra reverence.

BTW, I'm with Forrest, hold onto this one. Beautiful work.