Timeless Wood Carving Designs
Within my work I love nature wall art. It is a way to bring the beautiful things from our natural world into our homes. Unfortunately our lives today are too closed off from the nature which surrounds us. Creative designs within a natural medium such as wood can at the very least bring a piece of this back into our daily lives.
There are elements I favor in my work but I always want to create something unique by comparison to the last iteration. Some I only make one of while others I have made again still with changes in design as I move forward. With each being handmade I can take the time to refine the artwork.
Hummingbird Art
One of my favorite pieces is the humming bird design which I made for wall art. I have used other designs in boxes yet with this wall piece nothing else can compare. Traditionally bird art is another natural art which has persisted throughout time. From sculptures to paintings its popularity has existed for generations.
Symbolically various birds have held meaning to people within the culture that they lived in. The eagle is an excellent example as it has persisted from periods such as the Roman Empire to our modern world today. The hummingbird while not as popular as a symbol of power also has held its special meaning. Few realize how powerful the hummingbird has been upon cultures.
Symbolically it is often seen as representing a need for flexibility. This flexibility resides in moving around obstacles and ridding oneself of the toxic issues or situations within life. They have also been seen as a symbol meaning the need for change or for those who desire to change their life. While these meanings are more subtle by comparison to others that relate to power the meaning is deep. It is more spiritual in nature or self reflective giving insight into how one should live life.
The hummingbird has been seen by some as a messenger from God. The Aztec culture saw the hummingbird as representing a god. Within dreams it has been seen as a symbol to embrace freedom and to trust ones instincts. In many respects the meaning behind this seemingly simple bird is deep and has been given similar meanings in many cultures across the world.
This fascination is what has led to hummingbird art being so popular throughout history. Within wood art it can be one of the most beautiful creations that can be made. This artwork certainly will fit within any setting from any culture or language and its impact will be known for not only its beauty but also its meaning. This is a creative design that will certainly bring back something which has long been lost.
Forest Art
Within the traditional arts there are certain themes which continue through the generations. These themes are iconic. Forest art is one of these gems that continue forward through the generations. While often found through paintings this theme has carried over into many others arts.
There is a fundamental reason why this art carries forward in time aside from its mere beauty. In function it works within any setting or backdrop especially well as nature wall art. Whether it is an office or home is immaterial. The home design also matters little for it will fit into modern design or older traditional homes. The reason for its success draws from how we are drawn to natural elements.
Natural elements have a way of just working within any environment for decor and design. With forest art you bring an additional beauty of whatever the setting may be in the depicted work. While prints are the most common choice the art lover or collector will almost always certainly have multiple pieces of this kind within their collection.
Within wood art it can often be found within mixed media forms. While graphically less impressive in a picturesque sense the theme shifts in focus to the wood itself. Depictions can at times be a single tree. A great example of this is can be two of my works involving the tree of life. While not a forest it brings this same theme within the artwork.
The greatest benefit within wood art extends beyond the carving and into the wood grain itself. Its beauty is something that cannot be copied. There is no way to mimic this natural art that the elements of nature brought about. In terms of artwork it is difficult to beat wood and the benefits it will bring to your surroundings.
Forest art is something which has been incorporated within the digital arts impacting movies and stories which so many have come to love. It becomes the backdrop of elves in mystical lands. Likewise it can hold dark secrets which a hero must travel through to allow good to triumph. The art resides within a very primal part of our minds reaching back into a time we have almost forgotten.
Mountain Art
Another great icon in nature art is that of mountains. Mountain art can often be thought of as an old folksy style of work. Yet think of the many depictions of mountains within art. These depictions have survived the test of time as icons for many of the same reasons as those mentioned before. While there may be similarities there are also striking differences.
Mountains have held many meanings depending upon what culture you look to for its meaning. For some it is seen as an ominous and troublesome feature. Others see it as protective and life giving as the mountain can provide as well as defend a people from their enemies. Individually a mountain can be a challenge that one must overcome while perhaps another sees the mountain top after having overcome a major life challenge.
Rather than being seen as a feature depicting mystery or hidden things often mountains are associated with strong meaning. Almost always it is very personal rather than abstract and distant. The Tibetan people for example have seen the Himalayan mountains to hold spirits or gods. It is a place of solitude, for reflection, it provides safety but also can turn and bring death.
These meanings from cultures across the globe resonates deep within our mind. We may be living within our modern world yet there is a part of us which still looks back to these old meanings. It is as if it is hardwired into our natural state of mind and emotion. There is no doubt that a mountain can be a beautiful thing. Nevertheless its impact upon a landscape and its impression within our minds speaks to something that words cannot convey.
In terms of home decoration this is one of the more popular arts to find within the home. Whether through a traditional art or within wood art the popularity cannot be missed. Mountain art will fit within virtually any setting home or office to give beautiful accent. Whether you see it as a depiction of power or comfort it is timeless and will be a lasting piece that will remain with your family for generations.
Flower Art
Out of any of the previously mentioned nature art there is one that reaches beyond the scope of time itself. While this art is not seen as a manly form there is no doubt it has impacted man and woman alike with symbolic meaning. Flower art is as iconic as time itself. Creative designs with flowers truly gives unlimited options to meaning and definition of any work of choice.
Flowers and their meaning played a role in the works of William Shakespeare. In cultures from the ancient Chinese, Greeks, Romans and throughout other regions of the world each flower can have its own meaning. Some are used to say “I love you” while others symbolize specific ideas such as purity, passion, and even power.
Within the Victorian era flowers would be used to send messages that could not be spoken or written. The very meaning of the flower would symbolize the question. Another flower in response would be the answer for yes or no. How they were presented to someone and the condition that the flower was in also would hold meaning beyond the symbolism of the flower itself.
While women have predominately always loved flowers as a gift our modern culture has erased so much of their deeper meaning. While today regulated to special occasions or Valentines day gifts, or perhaps sent to someone as a wish to get well, a deeper study into their meaning is enlightening. Few other things in nature have been used as extensively in meaning and intent than the flower.
In terms of flower art if one were to look at older traditional works there is often hidden meaning within the artwork that modern eyes miss. As flowers are used in works it is not merely for the appearance or beauty. The flower itself is saying something to the artwork. The species as well as its presentation and condition will convey a message that the overall art is speaking to. It is an added layer of meaning that an artist can convey which people in that time would have recognized.
While many so called art experts will try analyze art from history to define a meaning it is things such as this that I look to. Culture, history, the message of the period and time of what the artist is conveying and the intent of the work is where the message is found. These are tangible and less subjective to opinion of people who want to believe they know more than they do. The power of these small meanings reach across time.
Leaf Art
There are many aspects of leaf art that can be found in common with flowers. While both involve plants the depths of meaning into the leaf is an extension of how the plant for flower is seen. An example of this would be an oak leaf which was often used to represent strength or great victory. The grape leaf on the other hand would represent freedom and having plenty or abundance.
Within artwork from many periods of history, just like the flower, the plants with their leaves would be chosen for specific meaning and purpose. This was so common throughout history that they can be seen in things such as coats of arms. When viewing artwork from historical periods one must pay attention to these small details as the meaning extends beyond the obvious overall depiction.
In ancient Chinese culture leaves also represented a universal picture. No matter the species from which it came they all were a picture of all things which have lived. Each has its own personality and meaning being unique from one another.
Within leaf art there is another principal which one must consider in interpretation. To interpret this we need to reach to a more practical purpose than symbolic meaning. Many times a leaf would be chosen for its medicinal purposes. Herbs were the medicine of the ages in history. Today they are still common for many practical uses including teas or poultices. Within artwork this meaning can often be depicted for a deeper purpose of definition within the work.
Nature Art Impact On Home Decor
If you are looking for a way to truly impact your home there are many ways in which to achieve a beautiful appearance. Yet to achieve meaning and definition it requires more than a pretty object. Natural Decor, whether it be a literal natural form such as wood or a traditional art depicting nature, it can give deep meaning.
Often within our fast paced modern life we miss these meanings. Some do not know that they exist. Yet if we take the time to find the roots of these meanings then bring them into our home we gain something. Not only do we reconnect to history but we also create an atmosphere of purpose and meaning if only for ourselves.
The easiest way to display this meaning is within nature wall art with the many forms it can be found within. I prefer to stay away from non natural materials such as metal for in my opinion it cheapens the meaning to the artwork. Being a wood artist I truly prefer a natural medium such as wood.
While each person may be impressed by different arts and meaning there is something to gain within our forgotten history. We can bring that back into our lives through how we decorate our home. For the artist we can further add meaning to our work which many today have forgotten within art.