12 H x 9 1/2 D x 6 W

Mother of the Forest was originally going to be a sister piece to Windswept Spruce, a piece that has drawn so many positive comments and positive reaction.

I had the base shaped and had the tree form down.  The next step is interpret the branches, As I was pairing the tree to base to read the flow of the piece I stopped and was blown away by what I had seen in my tree form, a female form and declared the piece finished.  To keep going would destroy the magic the sculpture.  As I have said before, the stone determines what it will be, not me, I have to recognize that.

There are very lively green veins in the deep black stone, some of that green can be seen in the lower, centre below.  I also felt I should leave the accent in the dress in the front rough, that is exactly how the stone looks after the Dremel and diamond bit leave it.

As I polishing it days later, I remembered a poster that my sister Cheryl McCartney had hanging in her home.  I had to look up that poster immediately.  It was a Cree Prophecy (we are 1/4 Cree).

I am so excited with my recent pieces and the direction things are going.  So many people in Grande Prairie know who I am and I am well established here. Going into a market (Canmore) where I am relatively unknown is something new.  I want to go in there and make a very strong impression.  I can honestly say, I am going in as confident in the work and myself as I have ever been.

  I say it everyday… We are the sum of our influences, whether we are aware of it or not.