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Herds of elk living wild in
the Rocky Mountain ranges must scavenge for food during the long
winter months of deep snow. The aspen tree offers a source of
moist nutrients, and the black scars created by the elks' desparate
nibbling of the bark can be seen at a familiar height on the
trunk. Carefully sanding the outer edges of the area reveals
the colorful, marbled layers of bark. Gently sanding the inside
also uncovers many beautiful hues. The darker scars, when simply
scrubbed and finished, create an extremely dark, more rustic
look. |
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Oftentimes it is
an insect that causes the death of an aspen tree. These little
critters create the natural artistry found in the inner trunk,
the most common pattern resulting in a zig-zag path of the critter's
tracks as it travels upward, feeding on the tree. First a draw
knife, then a belt sander is used to sculpt and emphasize the
various artistic patterns found beneath the bark. These sculptures
then explode with vivid color when the finish is applied, appearing
as though painted by an artist. |
