Chris Pye: Woodcarving

Chris Pye: Woodcarving
	Green Man by John M. Casteline Yellow Poplar, Winter 2005 14" wide, 9" high. Author's Notes about the Carving: I became captivated by the whole Green Man mystery when I saw my first Green man in Chris Pye's book "Elements of Woodcarving". It says a lot to me concerning rebirth, the power within the wood and being one with nature.
My Green Man was made from the wedge slice cut out of the tree to make it fall in a certain direction. It is from the yellow (tulip) poplar tree that used to grace my front yard. The bark is still on the back. This wedge shape puts the face on an angle upwards when sitting on a table; or downward, facing you, when hung on the wall - sort of the same position most Green Men have in European cathedrals. Mine hangs high over our living room portal, looking down on all of us. About the Carver. I've dabbled in artwork all my life, but I am relatively new to woodcarving. I have only been carving for about 2 years. Other than a few silly snowmen and a walking stick, the Green Man is really my first attempt at serious woodcarving. Like many others, I have read and re-read Chris's books from cover to cover. My most exciting wood carving moment so far had nothing to do with the wood. It was when I finally was able to sharpen my tools to where they cut smoothly. Now as I approach retirement, I have come to realize that what I really want to do for the rest of my life is to create beautiful things out of wood...to unlock the Green Man. John M. Casteline Email: JMCast@rcn.com
Would you like to contribute an interesting, contemporary, Green Man (gargoyles, grotesque etc) woodcarving? Or have you a friend you could encourage to have their work shown? Yes? Then I'd love to here from you! Write to me, telling me a little about it first. Thanks! Top

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