Burls and whalebone given new life as unique artwork

BY KIRK STARRATT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

It isn’t always immediately obvious, but he looks at a tree burl or whalebone, sees an animal or character within, and brings it to life. Don Marston of Gaspereau says he carves large and small pieces for his own enjoyment and never gets bored.

“You look at something and think, ‘what can I make with that?’” he said.

His work is currently on display at the Kings County Museum in Kentville in an exhibit entitled “Earth, Air and Water: Featuring the Carvings of Don Marston”. The exhibit runs until Dec. 7.

Marston began carving figurines from clay as a boy in Elora, Ontario and later painted with watercolours and oils. He worked also in the medium of pewter, creating molds and casting pewter figurines with maritime motifs before picking up woodcarving in the early 1980s.

The most common themes are fish and birds, along with what he describes as nonsensical characters he carves from burls, supplied by friend Carmen Steele. A burl is a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch filled with small knots from dormant buds.

When it comes to deciding what to carve from a burl or other piece of material, Marston said an idea sometimes springs to mind immediately, but sometimes you have to look for a while because it isn’t so obvious.

“If it’s not there, it’s not there,” he said. “You might look at a piece for a long time before the lightbulb goes off.”

He carves fish from pine and lately he has been experimenting with insects. Marston said he likes the Blue Heron as a subject and depicts them in different ways.

Imagination a common thread

He isn’t afraid to do nonsensical pieces such as two-headed birds, “kangaroo birds” or “butterfly birds.” He has carved many interesting faces from burls, whether they’re human, animal or otherwise. Although every piece is unique, imagination is a common thread.

“I get a real satisfaction out of nonsensical birds,” he said. “If there’s a good laugh in it, that’s part of what it’s about.”

People, especially children, enjoy the work and he likes to see their reactions. When his grandchildren come to visit, they’re usually ready to make something.

Marston has been using whalebone in several works, including sculptures and jewelry. He said it’s a medium, and using it for artistic purposes is better than seeing it rot and disappear.

The remains of a Finback whale that met its demise a few years ago in the Bay of Fundy washed ashore at Huntington Beach. A passing ship had apparently struck it, as the vertebrae on its right side were broken. Steele salvaged many of the bones from the dead whale and eventually gave them to Marston for use in his work.

Educational component, too

He said he likes making things that remind people of the large marine mammals and the fact that they sometimes run afowl of ships. There’s an educational component behind the whale-related portion of the exhibit, including the character “Wyll the Whale”, and a message to help preserve nature and to recycle natural materials. Museum curator Bria Stokesbury said this might be of interest to school groups.

Some of the work on display is for sale, with a percentage being donated to the museum to help cover ongoing operational costs. Marston said he’s somewhat surprised the work is selling so well. However, all pieces will remain on display until the exhibit ends.

If you’re interested in bringing a group to view the display or would like more information, e-mail Stokesbury at curator@okcm.ca.