Saturday, September 16, 2017

Saint Simons Tree Spirits...!

Sometime we forget just how creative and artistic some folks can be. Here is just one reminder.

Saint Simons Island Tree Spirits
Carved faces add a touch of magic to this island's impressive oak trees.



Carved faces peer out from the old oak trees scattered around Saint Simons Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. The weathered wooden facades, dubbed the “tree spirits,” are a beloved addition to the island’s towering flora.

Saint Simons is known for its impressive oaks. In the island’s early years, it boasted a prosperous lumber industry. Timbers from Saint Simons were even used to construct the Brooklyn bridge in 1874.

Though they may look like an ancient source of forest magic, the tree carvings were created by local artist Keith Jennings, who says the faces are a reflection of his personal connection with the trees on his island home. The individual oaks influence each unique work of art.

Jennings began bringing the tree spirits to life in the 1980s. Each face is carved by hand and takes anywhere from two to four days to create. According to local legend, the spirits immortalize the sailors who were lost at sea while journeying aboard ships made from Saint Simons oaks.

I found this article over at AtlasObscura.com, if you want to see more pictures.

Coffee out on the patio, where the weather is starting to heat up again.

4 comments:

  1. The carvings are really beautiful.

    I'll sit on the patio for awhile with you. We are now in the low to mid 90's but the humidity is up a bit but I am not going to complain.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unless he carves only DEAD trees, the "artist" is causing an entry point for rot that will eventually ruin the tree. Being a former tree grower, I'd beat a guy about the head and shoulders for doing that to a tree of mine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Jo...
    That almost sounds like our weather here in Houston. Only 88 right now, though.
    Thanks for dropping by, dear!


    Hey Gorges...
    I don't know if the trees that he is carving on are dean or not, but I would hope he knows what he is doing!
    Thanks for coming over today!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those carvings in the living trees are great. I guess you could call the trees a living canvas.

    ReplyDelete