The head is done.
The overall look wasn’t quite what I wanted, so I edited the wings’ thickness, spacing and air flow. Then I sandblasted some more, and the carving was done.
Moisture from the air causes wood to shrink and swell. In order to slow that, the wood was sealed. Sealing also is important for the next step of painting.
The piece was painted in acrylic paint and glass eyes were installed.
.. So now you know how to take a piece of driftwood and turn it into a piece of art. Some say that it takes patience, but mostly it takes persistence.
Although I am never entirely satisfied when a piece is finished (and I always hope to improve with my next piece), I did accomplish several things that I hoped to do when I started this project. The flow of the piece keeps the eye moving around, and it is interesting from any angle. This piece activates all of the space it occupies. It doesn’t have a sense of quiet elegance, but it conveys the sense of frenzy as the robins chase the thief with their eggs.
Nest predation is part of the natural world, and the robins will likely make another nest and successfully raise a brood. The raven will also likely fledge its young. And life will continue as it has for millennia. I hope that viewers will use this piece to further their wonder and appreciation of nature. Ravens are perhaps the most intelligent of birds and a favorite of mine. Being big and intelligent resulted in the raven winning this act in the play of life, but the robins will adapt and survive also.
I hope viewers will see the vibrancy of life the next time they see ravens or robins. If this piece helps someone do that, it was a success.
See the completed work – “Big Wins!”
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]All Notable Works
Past and Present Works
