Thursday 7 April 2022

Thursday Art Date With Rain -- "Farm Life"

I did not grow up on a farm but my father did in the 1920s and 1930s, so I'm featuring his carving artwork today for Rain Frances' art prompt. When my Dad retired in the 1990s, he started carving scale-model replicas of the heavy horse teams and grain wagons he knew so well from his childhood on a Manitoba prairie farm. This is the set he carved for me, complete with a little collie dog as I had requested.


The grain wagon is a fully moveable, working replica made of balsa wood and pine. A friend with a home workshop let him borrow his lathe to shape the wheels. Otherwise, it is all hand cut, hand carved and assembled. A true piece of Canadiana folk art!


The grain box sits securely on the moveable axel system attached to the yoke tree to which the horses are harnessed.


The horses' harnesses are made of leather/vinyl with felt padding and chain/metal attachments. I always loved the tiny set of spread rings he made for each horse! The horses themselves are carved from pine.

 
In all the other team-and-wagon sets he made, the horses and grain wagon were fully painted in realistic colours, like this separate draft horse which my Dad carved and painted for me when he was first starting to carve --


But I requested that my team-and-wagon set be stained, not painted, for a bit more of an "artier" look. I've always loved the effect! And my set therefore looks different from everyone else's as well.


Artistic talent ran in my father's family. Life circumstances back in those days prevented access to art lessons or an art career, but my Dad definitely had undeniable talent. He expressed it the most in his carpentry work and in this later hobby of carving.

[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, March 2022]

57 comments:

Laura J said...

What a treasure!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

That is absolutely magical! I can't believe the detail. He obviously knew the structure of both the horses and the equipment so well. -Jenn

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Oh. Em. Gee.
This is beyond. On the one side, the craftsmanship!! I cannot believe the attention to detail and the fantastic approximation. Remarkable.
On the other hand, the love! It's awesome you have these samples of your dad's artistry. The love that went in them is almost palpable. Such a treasure.

XOXO

Tasker Dunham said...

What wonderful carvings to remember your father, and what a talent he had. They're beautiful.

Martha said...

Oh my gosh, Debra! This is phenomenal. Your dad was extremely talented. What a wonderful piece to have from your father.

Boud said...

He's truly talented in carving. I'm so glad he was able to express his gifts eventually. What a treasure you have there. Now I have to look at the pictures again.

Boud said...

I forgot to ask about dimensions.

Valerie said...

Truly beautiful!

Travel said...

That is really amazing work, a treasure

G. B. Miller said...

Excellent. The detail is simply amazing.

baili said...

what a gorgeous and magnificent piece of art dear Debra ,i loved this sharing specially the way you mentioned how your father was a farmer and had amazing talent for carnation and it looks obvious ,i adore your decision to leave horse carved by your father for you unchanged ,it will always be special for you i bet :)
hugs and blessings !

Marie Smith said...

What a treasure, Debra! Your Dad was talented!

Moving with Mitchell said...

Your father’s work shows genius. What exceptional talent. Your artistic gifts are no surprise. I’m in awe of this work. What treasures.

whkattk said...

Gorgeous detail!

Breenlantern said...

This set is amazing and I would find it difficult tom pass up were I to see it at a craft festival. Very impressive.

Sassybear
https://idleeyesandadormy.com/

Bob said...

What an amazing talent, and an amazing gift, from your father.
This explains your own artistic talents.

Gillena Cox said...

luv your precious horses
Happy Thursday

much💜love

NanaDiana said...

OMGOSH! Your father was a true artist. That is some of the finest carving work I have ever seen. Amazing. Thanks for sharing them. xo Diana

e said...

What an amazing piece of art! A family heirloom which you clearly treasure. Yes, artistic skill and inclination run strongly in your family.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

WOW, just WOW. now i see where you got your talent! this is such a wonderful piece he made for you.

bobbie said...

What a splendid treasure!! Your Dad did great!

Christine said...

I LOVE your dad's work, what a collector's item!

cwyatthouston said...

Wow, that is just fascinating, and beautiful! Since those are draft horses, check out a song from Hal Ketchum called the Belgian Team. It’s a wonderful song in every way – a very sad story about a farmer losing his farm, written an amazing poetry. And the tune is haunting as well. One of my favorites!

JM said...

That is an amazingly beautiful set!! I bet every little kid that sees it wants to take it home for their toy box!!

DVArtist said...

Wow this is so nice and perfect for the theme.

Valerie-Jael said...

These toys are fabulous, and I love your take on Rain's theme. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Adam said...

Artistic genes missed my genome completely

Tundra Bunny said...

Your Dad was a true folk artist whose work is deserving of display and appreciation!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Wow. That is so lovely-I'm so impressed with his artistry! I can't imagine how much time that took him to complete. Your family is full of talented folks.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

How talented your Father was, beautiful carvings I especially love the Shire Horse such strong horses. It must be delightful to have these in your possession. Thanks so much for sharing them with us Tracey x

My name is Erika. said...

That is an amazing piece of art your Dad made. He is really talented. And he had a good eye for all the little details too. Thanks so much for sharing this great piece of art, and nice to "meet" you too. hugs-Erika

Kirk said...

Oh, that's wonderful. "Outsiders art", another term for folk art, is what it is.

Joanne Noragon said...

Such a work of art! What amazing people were the men and women of our parent's generation. The greatest generation.

Mike said...

Nice detail work.

River said...

Those are amazing. Your Dad certainly had talent.

Richard said...

Wow. Look at that. That's beautiful. I don't know much,but he made it true.

Sandy said...

WOW! What a wonderful piece of art and with such sweet memories for you. Thanks for sharing.

Lady M said...

That is such a lovely keepsake. The detail is amazing. Your Dad was very talented.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

An invaluable set. Alone, without the story of its making, I love it. Add the fact that your dad carved this for you -- heartwarmingly remarkable.

This N That said...

What a beautiful set..Your Dad was truly an artist and you are so fortunate to have this keepsake..Thanks so much for sharing it..and desribing all the cool features..Folk art for sure!! Enjoy your weekend..

roughterrain crane said...

This precision is astonishing. Thank you for posting.

Guillaume said...

This looks so great. Wolfie would love something like that.

Magaly Guerrero said...

Your dad was a very talented man. I love the details. I also so love that your set is different from everyone else's... it fits.

pam nash said...

That is not only a lovely piece of art work but also a treasured family heirloom. Excellent!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Your Dad was an amazing talent and thankfully he was able to express his talent beautifully in his later years. Don't you wonder what he could have done if he had been able to have access to lessons and opportunities. My Father-in-law was artistic as well, but like your father, never had the opportunity to use it until he was older. We have a group of his sketches and paintings that are very precious to us. Thank you for sharing your treasure with us ...

Andrea @ From the Sol

DB Stewart said...

Amazing work! So fantastic that you have this heirloom. My Dad (a farmer) welded toys from steel scraps. He didn't make many but I have one; it's very meaningful to me.

peppylady (Dora) said...

If I was in high school, I would tried to get wood shop class.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Sue Bursztynski said...

Debra, that is so special! Nobody but you has this piece of art.

My Dad was pretty good with his hands too. He taught himself silversmithing and I have some of his work to wear, a ring and a necklace. So I know how you must feel.

Anne Johnson said...

What a straight-up beautiful piece of art.

LL Cool Joe said...

Wow your Dad was really talented. He had an amazing talent, and I'm saying that with my "art teacher" hat on. Yes it still surprises me that I'm a qualified art teacher!

Ur-spo said...

i too found these charming.

yellowdoggranny said...

I love this soooo much

Ken said...

Wow! That is impressive!

Miss Val's Creations said...

Wow! Your dad was incredibly talented! What a beautiful creation of his to cherish.

Laura Morrigan said...

Wow! This is amazing! Your dad is super talented! Good reminder that even those who don't or can't do art full time are still artists!

Rommy said...

I am loving all the little details!

Fundy Blue said...

The heavy horses , grain wagon, and collie are amazing Debra. It's wonderful that your father carved these for you! I wonder how many talented people there were and are who've had to set aside certain dreams because of life circumstances? I'm glad that your father was able to indulge in his carving when he retired. What a treasure!