Carvings!
The carvings are made from root, burls, tip and the trunk of the poplar and birch trees. The root club or "war club" was an important symbol of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot cultural identity more than it was a weapon. Carved with simple facial features or animals the club was used in important ceremonies and dances. The handles of the early root clubs were chip-carved in geometric and floral designs
Late in the nineteenth century Passamaquoddy and Penobscot artists began to carve elaborate animal and faces on both the handle of the club and the root projections my father is credited for starting this trend in elaborate designs with his early works.
There are never two carvings that are alike as each have there own spirit. This spirit tells me what to to carve, and what to leave on the tree. Useing the tools my father used I start each piece by blocking out the shape with a knife. I then carve the more intricate detials. Once the carving is complete I use a wood burning tool to outline the different shapes and figures. I add color with markers which closely represents the natural berry juice that was used.
