Wednesday, October 21, 2015

W/Alphabe-Thursday

 Wood carving outside Orillia Opera House, Orillia, Ontario

W is for WOOD.

Two stumps were carved into art by area sculptors Jimi McKee and Wayne Hill in 2008. As you can see, the carvings reflect the theatrical heritage of the opera house. To keep the wood from rotting, Mckee regularly applies preservative and hardener.

Another carved birch stump

The stumps were once dying weeping birch trees approximately 115 years old. Apparently there are three stumps but I missed one. YAY, another reason to revisit Orillia!

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

47 comments:

Andy said...

Wow! These carvings are awesome.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Fantásticos estes trabalhos em madeira.
Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

Kate said...

We have similar pieces of art scattered around our city and each year during the fair, we can watch the carvers with their chain saws at work. Amazing how beautiful they can be! Great photos to demonstrate this special art.

Unknown said...

Awesome! Those are lovely. I hope you'll find the third one as well.

Anonymous said...

They look amazing!

Lowell said...

That first one, especially, is spectacular! People who can do this kind of thing have my admiration!

diane b said...

Amazing carvings.

The Cranky said...

These are fabulous, I especially love the top one!

Darla said...

Beautifully done carvings. Yes, go back and find the third one for us.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

stumps make me so sad.

I personify a lot. :O(

Karl said...

I like both !

Anvilcloud said...

It's wonderful, embedded like that.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Aren't they fab EG, such a good idea with old tree stumps turning them into art.

Mary Hone said...

I love those. That face is great.

William Kendall said...

They are beautifully carved!

William Kendall said...
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William Kendall said...
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William Kendall said...
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RedPat said...

Nicely done, EG! I didn't know that birch trees could live to be that old!

Sylvia K said...

These are awesome, EG!!! What an incredible idea! I had no idea that something as beautiful and creative and colorful as these could be made from a dying, old tree!! Really took my breath away this morning -- as usual!! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!!

VP said...

Funny and quite unusual!

Kathy said...

Unique and full of interest.

Revrunner said...

A Weeping Birch turned into a smiling face. Truly transformative art.

Linda said...

Oh! Those are wonderful!

cieldequimper said...

These are very unexpected!

Breathtaking said...

The rich colour of the tree stumps and carvings is stunning.

Shammickite said...

I thought birch trees would be too soft to do that.... but I guess not! Love those carvings.

Susan said...

Wow, these are awesome!

Cloudia said...

19th Century reminiscent, like a cigar store 'indian'




ALOHA
ComfortSpiral

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")


Sarah said...

How interesting! Thanks for sharing this art form. Reminds me of what some artist did after the hurricane that destroyed Galveston some years ago. They carved the remaining tree stumps in various places.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

so creative - love them!!! ( ;

Anonymous said...

Goes to you show you that artists can use anything to get their creative expressions going:) Love it!

Stephanie said...

Wow, these carvings are absolutely beautiful!

Jack said...

I like seeing a bit of creativity and whimsy.

Rose said...

What talent is shown here!

Kay said...

OH, I'm glad you'll go back! These are terrific and I'd love to see more!

orvokki said...

Never seen these kind of carvings, they are wonderful.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Awesome wood sculptures

Viola said...

This is just fantastiic! So cool to see!

carol l mckenna said...

Such beautiful 'wood carvings' ~ great shots for W ~

Happy Weekend coming your way,
artmusedog and carol

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Love it!!!

Jeevan said...

Interesting art work/carving on wood! Well preserved

Lace up and Walk said...

What a wonderful way use and preserve the beauty of a tree. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

what a cool tree and lovely W word.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

They are gorgeous!
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Annesphamily said...

Oh wow! THese are so beautiful. One of the neighbors around the area has a huge bear carving, I am going to take a photo one of these days. So delightful and just think of the hard work and creativity the artist has! Have a great weekend.

Eden House News and views said...

wonderful wonderful wood thanks for sharing

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.