I’m working on a little art and photography project related to children and it got me thinking about things that I would have been interested in, and looking for, when I was a child. Not so different from what I’m always absorbed in now!
The bird above is a good example; I picked this up when I was child, out of the same river I am often beside (or in) these days. I was at a cottage with my family and this driftwood bird was lying at the water’s edge waiting for me to come along. It is, as I found it, and has flown with me from home to home ever since.
These smaller driftwood pieces have been arranging themselves into little works of art. They are pieces infused with salt air and salt water. Wood that has traveled the sea.
listen…
All images Ā© Karen McRae, 2012
draw and shoot 
Very, very nice and enjoyable. I look for shapes in both wood and rocks, but never considered individual pieces as subsets to a larger concept.
. . . yet another new hobby . . . where will I find the time?
š Well I hope to see some of the nature art you do find the time to make, Emilio.
Thank you!
I forget – have you read The Summer Book, by Tove Jansson? She describes a beautiful version of Venice made out of driftwood by a grandmother and her granddaughter, and left by the side of a bog. These lovely pictures made me think of it. One of them would make a lovely cover for that book.
Thank you, Helen. No, I haven’t read that book. Do you recommend it, it sounds interesting?
It’s gorgeous, really. And all about nature and life within it, so I hope you’d like it too.
I will put it on my must read list. Thank you!
So smooth and refined, yet imbued with personality. Your little bird is indeed a treasure. The compositions are inspired.
BTW, thank for your lovely post comments. It seems wordpress will not allow me to reply today, but I want you to know how appreciated they are.
Thanks very much, Elena. I will keep the bird always! š
The Sea, The Sea.. and yes I do hear it Karen.. The bird is really beautiful..
Thank you, Helen.
I love this tiny bird..how precious..
Cath, the bird is pretty cool. I usually have it hanging up somewhere. Thank you.
I love the simplicity of these images which are enhanced by being made from found pieces. Truly lovely, thanks.
Thanks for your comment, Janet. The naturally found pieces are irresistible to me, too.
this is terrific! so glad you found/saw/created it
Thank you, I’m glad you think so. I think it’s called playing! š
Just wonderful! ā„
Thanks! š
Soooo nice, Karen!!!!!!
Steve, thank you. š
Lovely organic forms, and I can see why you would keep the bird with you after so many years!
Thank you, I was pretty excited when I found it as a child. I still treasure it.
excuse me if i jump in uninvited, but this i must say: karen, you are a fantastic, complete adult. but you have somehow managed to never lose sight of the child we all harbor deep within. you, me, and a few select others will never grow out of our childhood. we are the lucky few.
alessandro
Alessandro, it is a wonderful thing to still look at the world with a child-like enthusiasm and sense of wonder. You understand me well! š
Thank you.
Karen.
What a fantastic idea. Do you think you’ll be working with different medium than just driftwood? Some look like small rocks.
Le Clown
Le Clown,
I do have some other medium that I’ve been incorporating…
we will see what happens. Merci!
Lovely pieces, especially the bird.
Thank you, Elizabeth.
Very beautiful Karen
Thanks, Jack!
Extraordinary compositions, delicate and emotional.
Antonio, thank you. That’s very kind of you.
so refreshing. you have such wonderful things to say, and being the master of the medium you are, you can say them in the loveliest of ways. i hope you never stop sharing your unique vision with us, karen
Alessandro, a wonderful comment! Thank you for the encouragement and nice words.
This is so familiar to me… I’ve always been intrigued by little objects I pick up from the sea shore [driftwood, pebbles etc] I love your very talented and inspiring approach!
Marina, thank you, those things on the shore are often irresistible!
Love your bouquet of driftwood flowers, Karen.
Much thanks, Bente! š
A fascinating collection – and your little bird is so photogenic!
Thank you, Louis.
So pretty, Karen…and I do love your little bird that has followed you from home to home…and the flowers on their stems….
Your post reminds me of the drift-wood photos I have sitting patiently in a folder on my computer awaiting my attention…pieces captured in-situ along the stream-bed in one of our canyons here…. You have inspired me to visit them again…. Thank you. š
I will keep and eye out for your driftwood images. š
Thank you, Scott.
You’re very welcome. š
“Not so different from what Iām always absorbed in now!”
The difference between the pastimes of a child and those of a grownup
Is the greater expense of the toys to which the adult will own up.
Steve Schwartzman
http://www.portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
Oh, it’s so true, Steve! š
Hello, I just wanted to say I enjoy reading your posts :), and I hope you don’t mind but I’ve nominated you for the Lovely Blog Award. By the way, if you are unfamiliar with the awards thing here at WordPress, you can drop me a note if you like.
Cheers!
tn.
Hey thanks! That’s very kind . š
Cheers,
Karen
Really beautiful photographs on your recent posts Karen.
Thanks so much, Allen!
I love your bird, and that you’ve had it since childhood. I’m a collector, too, inherited from my mother, who inherited it from hers. I have a wonderful pic of all three of us at the beach, all looking not out at the water but down at our feet, looking for things to collect.
That sounds like a lovely picture, a treasure in itself. Perhaps you could write a piece for it and post it?… I’m imagining it in my head…
I was always fascinated by how much driftwood and old bones could look like each other. Lovely photos.
I’ve noticed that also, the way they bleach out a wear away… Thank you
Fascinating work, er – play. Your flora#5 I thought it was a mushroom until I saw your id. Then I saw the flower. I can certainly see why your bird is a “keeper.” š
Thanks for your comments, Shez! š
That’s amazing the driftwood bird has not been carved at all, how lovely you’ve kept it since then. Great simple calming photos š
It is an extraordinary bird resemblance! Thank you.
ini sesuatu banget – it’s for says something different, that’s amazing driftwood mosaic.
That’s very kind, thank you.
Beautiful, your work is just… beautiful!
Much thanks to you, Ana!
VERY nice, Karen. Love these. Nature, sculpture, and photography all in one.
Thank you very much, Fish & Bicycles.
Wonderful arrangements, Karen and so nice that you still have the bird with you.