Shepherd's Cradle
2011
Commissioned by:
First Baptist Church
Greenville SC
When the congregation approached me in the spring of 2011 to make a vessel to present as a gift for Jeff Rogers, who was leaving their staff after ten years as senior pastor, they wanted to use wood from a large oak tree that was about the same age as their church, and had been felled several years earlier. The wood had been sawn into one-half inch stock, which made it necessary to build up a form to carve, not my usual process of carving from a single block of wood.
The project took about a month to complete, requiring thirteen layers of lamination using about two hundred fifty separate pieces of oak. Apart from being a very satisfying piece of work to make, the project as been especially significant to me as it was made for someone who has been a friend and spiritual mentor.
For information about commissioning work, contact the artist in Greenville SC or Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale AZ:
2011
Commissioned by:
First Baptist Church
Greenville SC
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Over the years, First Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina has entrusted three commissions to me, each one quite different from the others, presenting a unique set of challenges and problems. Each of their projects has been a learning experience that provided an impetus to move my work forward in new directions.When the congregation approached me in the spring of 2011 to make a vessel to present as a gift for Jeff Rogers, who was leaving their staff after ten years as senior pastor, they wanted to use wood from a large oak tree that was about the same age as their church, and had been felled several years earlier. The wood had been sawn into one-half inch stock, which made it necessary to build up a form to carve, not my usual process of carving from a single block of wood.
The project took about a month to complete, requiring thirteen layers of lamination using about two hundred fifty separate pieces of oak. Apart from being a very satisfying piece of work to make, the project as been especially significant to me as it was made for someone who has been a friend and spiritual mentor.
For information about commissioning work, contact the artist in Greenville SC or Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale AZ:
jason@xanadugallery.com
henry@henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://dawntreestudio.com
http://sculptorsjournal.com
copyright 2000-2011 henry mitchell
Copyright for all artwork shown on this site resides with the artist.
henry@henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://dawntreestudio.com
http://sculptorsjournal.com
copyright 2000-2011 henry mitchell
Copyright for all artwork shown on this site resides with the artist.
ABOVE:
"Shepherd's Cradle"
oak
8 x 18 x 46 in.
"Shepherd's Cradle"
oak
8 x 18 x 46 in.
LEFT: The first step was to sort the wood according to size and color. The irregular shaped slab cut from the side of the trunk was the only piece which referenced the natural shape of the tree. I used this as the bottom of the vessel, and expanded the form from this shape.
RIGHT: Here the first layer of half inch stock has been selected and sized to be glued to the base.
BELOW: At this point the sides are the vessel are beginning to be laid up. Each layer is glued and clamped to cure in place before the next layer of lamination is added.
BELOW: At this point the sides are the vessel are beginning to be laid up. Each layer is glued and clamped to cure in place before the next layer of lamination is added.
BELOW: The lamination is about half completed. As each layer is applied, the outline of the vessel shape is marked for reference. For strength, the grain of each layer of lamination is perpendicular to the adjacent layers.
BELOW: All the pieces are glued in place, and the blank is ready for carving. The grain of the top two laminate layers roughly follow the form of the vessels to minimize seams along the top edge.
LEFT: The vessel is carved from the inside out. The inner void is shaped first, then the exterior contours will be worked down to it.
BELOW: The exterior shaping is underway, as excess material is cut away, and the final form of the vessel begins to be revealed.
BELOW: The exterior shaping is underway, as excess material is cut away, and the final form of the vessel begins to be revealed.
BELOW: After final shaping and sanding, several coats of wax are rubbed into the wood to finish the piece.