Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Historic Paddle Art Illustrated London News Fisheries Exhibit Sketch
From this Ebay Link is an engraving of entitled "SKETCHES AT THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION" published in The Illustrated London News June 2nd, 1883.

A closeup of sketch 9, "Indians fishing, (model from Canada)" showcases the classic Mi'kmaq humped canoe with a stern paddler and the bowman preparing to spear some Salmon)

9. Indians fishing, (model from Canada)
Figure 11 has a different canoe and is labelled as a "Milicete Indian in his fishing canoe"

A Milicete Indian in his fishing canoe
The International Fisheries Exhibition of 1883 seems to have been quite a global affair. Another author, Frederick Whymper, documented some of the Canadian representatives in his book Fisheries of the World : an Illustrated and Descriptive Record of the International Fisheries Exhibition, 1883. The sketch below is believed to be that of famed Maliseet Guide, Gabe Tomah.

"Indian in Birch Canoe, Fisheries Exhibition "
Whymper, F. Fisheries of the World : an Illustrated and Descriptive Record of the International Fisheries Exhibition. London : Cassell : Co.: Limited, 1883.
Page 96
SOURCE LINK
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Artist Profile David Wright Canoe Art
Continuing this historical art theme, I came across the artwork of David Wright. At first I could only find a few pics with a canoe theme, including the lovely work, "Quiet Reflections". It features a decorated paddle featuring a red grip and blade, very akin to the fur trade / voyageur paddles of the day.

A solitary Woodland Indian fishes
from his birchbark canoe in a serene setting
David graciously emailed an image gallery of his other works featuring bark canoes of various, including Maliseet, Fur Trade, and old style Alonguin.


His most haunting work is that "The Captives" which features an emotional scene with an unknown ending that leaves the audience in suspense.

It turns out that David has thoroughly researched these various canoe shapes and models and even has some practical experience in paddling them. He owns a 14 foot Old Style Algonquin canoe that he has paddled in the Boundary Waters. If the lines of the canoe look familiar, it served as the "model" for The Captives piece above.

David's 14ft Old-Style Algonquin Bark Canoe
Many thanks to David for allowing me to share these beautiful paintings with you.
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Marilynn Dwyer Masons Paddle Art
For a little bit of fun canoeing art, check out the online gallery of Marilynn Dwyer-Mason. Her work often features outdoor adventures and classic camping scenes with the human participants replaced with wildlife. Here are a few examples with a paddle related theme...

American Rustic
A whimsical bear-sonification of the classic American Gothic.

Tippy Canoe
This bear family is ready to paddle around the lake and do a little fishing along the way.
This bear family is ready to paddle around the lake and do a little fishing along the way.

Running the Rapids
Two bears brave the rapids in a classic canoe.
Two bears brave the rapids in a classic canoe.

Homeward Bound
A family of bears paddles home on a serene lake
Sunday, 9 April 2017
Historical Paddle Art Robert Griffings The Paddle Painter
Artist Robert Griffing is well known for his historical art depicting Eastern Woodland peoples and the 18th Century Eastern frontier. Many of his paintings feature bark canoes and decorated paddles. One of his new releases is entitled, "The Paddle Painter" and features a calming scene of a how a paddle might have been decorated with natural pigments in years gone by...

"The Paddle Painter"
©Robert Griffing
Link: http://www.lordnelsons.com/gallery/frontier/griffing/93.htm
The snake like pattern on the blade along with the red wavy borders is a common theme I've seen in some of his other artworks. Most notably in another stunning piece called "Into the Unknown"

"Into the Unknown" by Robert Griffing - ©Robert Griffing
LORD NELSON'S GALLERY - GETTYSBURG, PA - 800-664-9797
LORD NELSON'S GALLERY - GETTYSBURG, PA - 800-664-9797
Original Link: http://www.lordnelsons.com/gallery/frontier/griffing/67.htm
The pattern may be based on some model paddles dated to 1740-1750 and documented in Timothy Kent's marvelous publication, Birchbark Canoes of the Fur Trade (ISBN: 0-9657230-0-3 ). Figure 86 illustrates some decorated paddles that were made in New France to accompany a souvenir canoe model. The third paddle from the left features this serpentine patten with the scalloped border.

Figure 86. Paddles fashioned ca. 1740s-1750s in New France to accompany a Type A-1 voyaging canoe model and figurines. Original Link
Not sure of the significance, but the snake-like pattern is one featured in another form of Woodland Art - native pictographs. One of the most famous is the Panel VIII pictograph on Agawa Rock in Lake Superior Provincial Park. It features a representation of a canoe with the Great Lynx Mishibizhiw who controlled Lake Superior. Below are two giant underwater serpents called Mishi-ginebikoog in the Ojibwe language.

Source Link
Saturday, 8 April 2017
NATE KARNES ART Fish Flag Facemasks
The other week I mentioned that artist Nate Karnes was rolling out some really fun Fish Flag decals and now he's taken those designs and worked them into a series of Facemasks that just went up on the website this weekend.

There are nine fish designs to start with another batch of Fish Flags in the works to be released soon.
I ordered up a Smallmouth Bass Facemask last night but the Bluegill Facemask and Redfish Facemask are also high up on my list.
Want one or three? Use code "TFM20" for 20% off your order now through Valentine's Day.

There are nine fish designs to start with another batch of Fish Flags in the works to be released soon.
I ordered up a Smallmouth Bass Facemask last night but the Bluegill Facemask and Redfish Facemask are also high up on my list.
Want one or three? Use code "TFM20" for 20% off your order now through Valentine's Day.
Paddle Art Birchbark Canoe by Edward Comou
On the search for more paddle related art, I came across this painting on FineArtAmerica.com featuring a bark canoe and a straight sided, Passamaquoddy grip styled paddle...

Birch-bark Canoe
Edward Coumou
Painting - Watercolor
Description by Artist:
An original watercolor loosely inspired by an old photo. I am fascinated with water reflections and the challenge of painting them.
Original Link
To my eyes, the lines and decoration of the canoe look like something built by well known birchbark craftsman, Steve Cayard...

Steve with 16-foot canoe in 2005, photo by David Quist.
Original Link
Saturday, 18 March 2017
Artist Profile Martin Bellmann Canoe Art
Martin Bellmann is a self taught artist who has made some lovely paintings feature the bark canoe theme. His web page of Historical Art has wonderfully descriptive captions of his artwork. Below is a piece entitled "First Light"

"First Light"
I really enjoy the color of the wake behind the canoe reflecting the first glints of sunrise...the ideal time to capture a Blue Heron taking off in the distance. The paddles seem to reflect a more tradition, pointed beavertail shape
Another piece is "Forgotten Voices" which features a couple paddling alongside tall cliffs. I really like the perspective of this piece and the sense of movement through the water. The bow paddler looks to have a large Northwoods style paddle with a slightly elongated grip.

Forgotten Voices
There's a similar granite rock face on my cottage lack (nicknamed "Hastings Rock" by the locals) that serves as a diving platform for the more adventurous. Seeing this painting makes me eager to get the bark canoe out of storage and back on the water where it belongs.
Many thanks to Martin for permission to reproduce his work and for the inspirational art. More paintings please!
Thursday, 16 March 2017
Additional Photos Eldred Folk Art Paddle
More photos have been posted of the "Folk Art Paddle" from Eldred's Auctioneers (see original post here). The original listing only showcased the blade, but there are now more pics of the entire paddle, including a closeup of the decoration on the grip.
CARVED AND DECORATED CANOE PADDLE
Late 19th Century
With polychrome geometric decoration, pyrographic acorn decoration and a découpaged image of an American Native's bust. Length 66."
Late 19th Century
With polychrome geometric decoration, pyrographic acorn decoration and a découpaged image of an American Native's bust. Length 66."
Update: December 2, 2015: Sold for $325
Grip Closeup
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
O Aux O Aux wherefore art thou Aux Creating a radio auxiliary input for your stereo when there isnt one A DYI project
The giddy bob above is one of my favorite problem solvers. The desired source of music for many owners is their Ipod, or Sirius and XM receivers. The problem is integrating them into an existing stereo system of a boat. Many vessel's stereos do not have an available auxiliary input available to use, and hence the Scosche solution (Don't ask me how to pronounce it!). This device is an FM modulator, and takes an audio input, and squirts the audio source directly into the radio via the antenna wire. This works much better than the wireless versions, and is much less prone to electrical interference. The little gray box can be set to several lower FM frequencies, and the sound fidelity is excellent. In this case, the wiring diagram below (click it for a better printable view) shows a satellite radio car kit system, and an Ipod both connected to the Scosche input. The caveat here is you can't play them both at the same time. I take that back, you can, but you will just hear both audio sources at the same time, and I suspect that this would be annoying, at least to me. But maybe "Mashers" could give it a try, and let me know what it sounds like. If your just doing a single device, you can use the little Ipod interface plug that comes with the unit.

The Scosche modulator can get its power from the radio's power circuit (red wire, not yellow). It uses very little current. You unplug the radio's antenna wire, and plug it into the Schoche's female antenna connector. You then take the Scosche's male antenna connector, and plug it into the radio. Yep, the antenna still works as well as it ever did before.
Now what's left is to attach the new inputs. in the drawing, I show a splitter going into each L/R input. This is a single male RCA end, with two RCA females at the other end. This allows you to hook up two inputs to the Scosche box. Connected to the two pigtails are two cables, each with two RCA male connectors at one end, and an 1/8" mini jack at the other end, that allows connection to the Ipod, and or a Siruis/XM cradle. Pick a frequency on the box, set the radio to that frequency, plug in the Ipod, and you have tunes.
For satellite radio, I often use a car kit that allows owners to move the units from the car, to the boat. These car kits come with a non-marine antenna, 12VDC plug, cradle, and a cassette tape adapter. They sell for about $30.00. I throw away the cassette adapter thingy. I can usually find a hidden place inside to mount the antenna, and I glue it down with silcone, or similar non-3M 5200 goo. I purchase a 12VDC receptacle, and plug in the power adapter, and give it a couple of wraps with tape to keep it from shaking out. This can also be tied to the radio's power source (red wire, not yellow). A little note about the car style plugs for Ipods, and car kits. They transform the 12VDC voltage to a lower level. If you cut the plug off, and wire it directly to 12VDC, you will cook your 4 gigabyte Ipod.
Above is a typical install of a Sirius cradle, and a plug for the Ipod (there is an adapter cable for the Ipod that is not shown). Here is the link for the Scosche modulator below, and the cables can be purchased at Radio Shack or equal. Happy tunes to you. http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/151/sfID2/159/sfID3/351/productID/417
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