While walking through High Park on Sunday I stumbled across this wood sprit carving on a dead tree and I have since learned that the City of Toronto had commissioned carver Colin Partridge to create 4 of these in 2006. Partridge, a retired RCMP officer (Mountie), used special chisels, a chainsaw, and other tools to carve into stumps and dead trees and then stained the works to hopefully protect them for awhile. I will have to go back and look for the other 3 as it is said that to see a wood spirit brings good luck!
Awesome!...
ReplyDeleteSo cool you are going back to capture the other ones :)
If seeing one of these carvings brings luck, does seeing the photo count. As you can spread the luck globally.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo and nice background story.
Shaun
These are very cool - and especially to find them in High Park.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, I like this. Look at the expression on the face and those eyes...kinda scary, actually. Very creative and I can't imagine using those tools (esp. the chain saw) to do such excellent work.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to find something like this by accident. I love carvings on trees and stumps that are left in their natural surroundings
ReplyDeleteYikes you wouldn't want ot stumble on this in the dark after a wee dram would you.
ReplyDeleteLove this - do go and find the others to show us.
ReplyDeleteThat is soooo cool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic thing to stumble across. I love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! - I just wonder how long Mother Nature will take before you can't tell what they were.
ReplyDeleteVery clever, Redpat. I want to find a big tree trunk carved into a bear. But until I do, your tree sprite is a pretty good substitute.
ReplyDeleteThat is great, I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing idea!
ReplyDeleteI hope it brings lots of luck to you! :)
Great idea and great photo!
ReplyDeleteWonderful sculpture, so an intensive expression!
ReplyDeleteVery clever idea Red, I'm feeling a little bit lucky just to see him here!! I hope the feeling lasts until I can get a lotto ticket tomorrow haha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea. I love the 'grotesque' style.
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeleteNever had the good fortune to visit Toronto, but I've seen a similar carving somewhere else (wracking my brain trying to think where)...wondering if the carver got a commission anywhere else, or if it is just a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteI love finding these faces carved in old trees! Cool!
ReplyDeletewow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the nice comments I actually carved this piece. The tree was an old oak tree that had long since died. I just gave him a new life.
ReplyDeleteColin could you give us clues to find all 4 of your wood faces? We have found 2 so far.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know where all 4 trees are?
ReplyDeleteI found the one at the south east part of Grenadier Pond. Clues to see the others would be helpful. Going to walk High Park on Sunday.
Anyone who can help??
Thanks
Sue