The Lotus is one of my favorite aquatic flowers. It has been venerated in ancient cultures where it  thrived ; Ancient Egypt and the Indian subcontinent to name a few. Carving organic forms, especially the delicacy of flowers, lends a challenge to my interpretations in wood as a material. This project employs both low and ‘medium’ relief carving as in the upper and lower panels, and in-the-round (3-D) carving as in the two flowers.   A great project that met the clients wishes.

Material: Carved cherry, curly cherry veneer, textured glass
Dimensions (h x w x d): 82 x 72 x 4
Year Made: 2008

Matching the Demi-lune with mirror,  this wall coat rack has been the beginning of many linen fold projects; replicated at times ( not identically, of course) and an element of design requested by several clients.

Material: curly maple, walnut
Dimensions (h x w x d): 32 x 30 x 3
Year Made: 1991

Pythons  grow to be several feet, in beautiful colorful, lengths. The patio and pergola where this one now hangs  is  luxuriant in greenery; creeping vines, orchids, succulents and shading trees ….. occasionally some humans do enjoy it’s company!

I will add a few in-progress pics. It was quite a process where, as always, I learned a lot.

Nature enthusiasts, tree lovers, my clients wanted “out-doors to come in”. I bought rough buck-eye boards, milled and built up the several layers that could be disassembled…in all, maybe 13 pieces, joining each before carving.  Almost all the work was done using  the band-saw and the two Arbortech power carvers. Only some areas were worked with hand tools.   I built a replica wall in my studio so the studs positioning dictated where the branches touched the wall  and where the screws and plugs would go.  Site work which included coats of water-based finish, with an assistant one day and solo work for three, heralded the resting of the two white birds ( client’s collection) on a cozy branch…not too far from an otherwise indifferent black snake!

Material: buckeye, dyes
Dimensions (h x w x d): 96 x 156 x 13
Year Made: 2003

Inspired by cross-sections of flowers and stamens, the door is one piece of  entry furniture that includes a large mirror and a wall coat hanger. (See also Vine and Stamen Mirror)

Material: mahogany
Dimensions (h x w x d): 76 x 36 x 1.2
Year Made: 1990

Ancient Egyptian goddess of  the physical and moral law, Ma’at , unites Upper and Lower Egypt. All kingdoms were meant to adhere to her principles. Her symbol is the ostrich feather. Symbol of Upper Egypt (south) is the lotus and that of Lower Egypt (north) is the papyrus. The low relief applied carving depicts these symbols. A border of turquoise and gold-leaf represents the royal colors.

This screen was placed in the center of the client’s bedroom to separate the back of the head-board from the seating area.

The four panel screen  is reversible. The center panels can also be alternated. The lift off hinges that are embedded in-edge allow an almost 70° turn either way for each panel.

Material: cherry, mahogany, curly maple, veneers of maple and ribbon striped mahogany, color wash, lacquer finish.
Dimensions (h x w x d): 53 x 92.5 x 1.25
Year Made: 1996