I enjoy processes and since I had additional images relating to my last post…I thought I would throw them in for fun. I also harbor this very idealistic idea that everyone is born creative…it’s just that most people don’t view themselves in this way which I believe is at the heart of our environmental dysfunction and a great shame. Somehow we have replaced creating with consuming. The following images hopefully show that you can create magic out of nothing. There isn’t anything technical happening here. If you can do Mr. Potato Head than you have the basic idea behind creating this bird. The materials are not manipulated greatly. I like nature to form the shapes I use. The only carving involved is in cutting slots into the body to hold the wings. I did shave away one wing to make it thinner. I did poke holes in the head for the eyes. I shortened the willow roots for the legs and the beak is held in place with a wooden peg just as the head attaches with its own little stick which also helps the head to swivel. Now I know this sounds a bit flip, but the hard part is seeing the possibility behind something that’s intrinsically worthless and imagining what else this could be? Looking at the following series of images at home, I’m struck by the altar quality of the log I have spread out my materials on at my temporary outdoor studio. I do feel that being an artist is a reverential activity. I like to think my “art” is somehow in the service of life. I believe you will recognize most of the components of this bird, but they include Styrofoam, wood bark, dried willow rootlets, the plastic nose cone of a small bottle rocket, plastic and foam “gaskets”, and charcoal for the eyes. All materials were found on site at the river. I found the little bowl that morning and it’s great to hold the little pieces I use. I’m not a great photographer in the classic sense in that I don’t concern myself greatly with exposures and settings. My camera is set on automatic. I do, however, try to create an interesting image or composition that “says” something to me about that day and this place. Give it a try…it’s fun to do!
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 
“Somehow we have replaced creating with consuming.” Well said. Fortunately we can unlearn this behavior. Thank You for showing us it is possible to create with what we find around us.
Driftwood for an example, is plentiful, free, pleasant to look at, and often comes in interesting shapes, shades of color, and variations of smoothness. The pieces you used for the birds wings look like they truly could lift your bird into flight.
I also enjoy taking pictures of nature. Ck out my May flowers photos taken in my backyard @ http://www.litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/ – see the May 27 posting.
P.S. I have recently added a link to “Unconsumption” on the reference list on the right side of my blog. I have just started viewing their posts-sounds promising. At least the title fits into my way of thinking about consumerism.
In a former incarnation I curated a driftwood exhibition entitled “River Sticks” and it turned out to be a great show because wood is a versatile medium. I’ll check out your links…thanks Bernie!
Everybody is an artist in their own ways and by stepping over the idea i can not do that we become an artist. A volunteer once said i do not understand art, there is noting to understand but do. In the end she was making wonderful stuff with living willow.
Al, I really like you showing how you go about making this bird. Who needs Mr Potato Head when there’s ‘trash’ everywhere for creating art with? I agree that everyone has creativity in them. Our American society just does a really great job of stiffling and repressing it.
Wave to mAgdA’s comment above!
Making magic out of nothing and seeing possibilities, yep, that’s art in a nutshell!
Hi Al, So good to see your wonderful work & read your eloquent words.
Take Care, Denise (from Murray)
What a nice surprise! Good to hear from you Denise!!