The Composition
At the request of a customer, this sculpture of two Orchard Orioles will serve as a table centerpiece. I will have to be sturdy and be aesthetically pleasing from all directions. A pair of Orchard Orioles (the smallest of the Oriole family) will each face a different direction yet they will appear to be interacting with each other. The male will be perched a little higher than the female while he is anxious to catch her eye. The female will be aware of the male but some what aloof in her posture. The male will sit on a branch that runs the length of the piece. The female will sit on one of two grape vines that will add color.
Initial carving of Orchard Orioles starts with the head
The armature for the tree branch
Grape vine stem
The pair of grape vines with leaves
Finished Sculpture of the Orchard Orioles
The simple black walnut base provides some warmth and allows your eyes to follow the lines in the sculpture. The position of the birds and the grape vines steer your vision from one bird to the other.