March 2017

Spring greetings from Colorado!

According to the calendar, spring is here, but, the snow in tonight’s forecast shows winter isn’t giving ground without a fight.

We have been burning up the road this year and last fall, and I do have some very beautiful wood to show for all the miles and hiking.

I have started a new Bronzewood Meld series of a grizzly this year, “Facing the Wind”. While in the canyons, I had a wax from the molds, I was able to fit the wax to the pieces of wood that I was examining, this process really helped in the inspiration and design. Consequently, there will be some really unique and beautiful bears coming out. The first in the series, a wall mount sold very quickly, but there will be more. Each trip to the canyons I usually find one or two pieces of wood that really excite me. These “gem quality” pieces of wood have incredible grain and/or a tremendous twists and shapes. One of these gems, a naturally hollow mesquite burl, will be the next “Facing the Wind” Bronzewood Meld.

For quite some time and for a number of reasons I have really wanted a half sized (8”) “Determined” to use in a Bronzewood Meld series. West Texas Juniper grows with some very graceful twists and turns. On rare occasion I will find a piece with enough width to accommodate a life-sized “Determined.” The trouble is the trees are so slow growing it takes well over a thousand years to reach that width. Then, to find one of those dead, but not too dead, with an interesting movement, is a real challenge. I have collected some spectacular smaller branches (a mere 200-400 years of growth) that will flow beautifully with the smaller seven inch wingspan of the half-size “Determined” falcon. I am currently working on my fifth in the series and getting more exited with each one. I will be sending out some photos of the available pieces in subsequent newsletters, or should I say “News Notes”.

These smaller versions of “Determined” are about half the price of the life-sized series and easier to place. They are approximately seven inches in depth. These falcons can be designed to be graceful wall mount sculptures. In light of that, when I look at my wood selection, I feel like a kid in a candy store. I only wish I had time to start on them when I “see them” in the wood.

Thank you for your continued interest in my work. You will be seeing newsletters and “News Notes” on a more frequent basis; I hope these updates will continue to pique your interest and, if you see something you like, let me know.

Thank you again,

J. Christopher White

Written by John White

Chris is an unusual artist in the sense that he personally harvests the juniper wood for his commissioned works. He makes frequent trips to Texas for this reason. He would love to visit with you about ideas for sculptures that you would like him to do.

February 16, 2020

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