Foxfire

This small netsuke is carved out of mountain mahogany wood- a piece from an assortment sent to me by Brad Blakely, a carver. The subject is one that I've learned crosses many cultures. Fox fire is defined as "A phosphorescent glow, especially that produced by certain fungi found on rotting wood," but in times past it was thought foxes had something to do with it. In Japan, it's known as kitsunebi. The removable ivory peg represents the flame cradled in a curled tail, and serves as the netsuke himotoshi.

New Work

It's been a while since I've posted new work. I had a bout of writer's block (carver's stump?) for a few months where nothing I started seemed to please me, and the grass outside needed mowing, etc. etc. So, pushing excuses aside, I've been back to work the past few weeks. I'm not sure of the title for this piece yet- maybe just 'Metamorphosis'. I had a piece of antler who's tip always spoke 'I'm a fin' and recently, the idea congealed to create a grotesque human form emerging from it.