Sarah and I popped down to our nearest town yesterday to spend some time with Sean Hellman.
Sean was demonstrating fan bird carving at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey.
He will be at the same venue on the 4th August demonstrating bowl turning on a pole lathe.
Fan bird carving is an old tradition that probably originated in Eastern Europe.
They represent a spirit of life and they are also the bringers of spring.
Sean's birds are skilfully carved from one piece of specially selected wood.
The feathers are individually riven from the shaped block.
And twisted into place.
The shape previously carved into the block allows the feathers to be interlaced, forming the wonderful wing effect.
A lot of folk were mesmerised by the development of the fan bird...
And the finished bird.
Sean kindly gave this one to Sarah.
It is flying in full view under the stair casement in the lounge.
If you are over this way on the 4th August you can catch more of Sean's work at ...
Bovey Tracey.
Devon.
Or Sean's workshop...
Enjoy...J;-)
