I think my favourite bird has to be the humble wren. I have been carving a wren into a chair back for a lovely commission: a story chair for a primary school.
The Head Teacher of this school is on the point of retiring after over thirty years of faithful service to generations of fortunate school children. When she asked for a bird carving, I immediately suggested a wren.
Industrious, discrete, vigorous and enthusiastic, highly intelligent and very smart, and perhaps a little shy – all qualities I admire. Appropriate too, for such a game bird.
The chair is nearly finished, all I have to do is hunt out an interesting piece of gnarly root stock for the arm rests. Then the children will be able to tell tall stories from on high to their fellow students as Jenny Wren continues to watch over her charges.
More pictures to follow!
The finished piece, complete with rhododendron arms:
The chair being installed at Mudella School. Mrs Bush and some of the children sanding it:
The finished piece before installation and varnishing:
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