Ken gets to play Artist /Artisan
Small wood and stone objects have been used for millennia as spiritual talismans, fetishes, religious icons etc.
An experiential connection to the little block sculptures makes me imagine that the proper treatment of small carved fetishes would grant the holder access to the other world, where the true spirit of the represented creature resides as teacher and guide. The bear for the herbalist and shaman, the bison as provider, the eagle for power and vision, the wolf as pathfinder. I'll let you think more about them on your own.
The block designs are kept intentionally simple, silhouettes really, I want my flutes to look like musical instruments and not embellished art pieces.
The more abstract designs use circles, curves, and angles to tell the stories of wind and water, rock and ice, and a feeling of change, "impermanence". Then there is music, so in the moment. Create in the spirit of kindness. That pretty much covers it.
kl.
Available in Cherry or Walnut
Effigy Block Designs:
Eagle
Hawk
Bison
Horse
Grizzly bear
Wolf
Coyote
Zuni fetish bear
Songbird
Loon
Hummingbird
Dolphin
Mountain Lion
Raven
Crane
Pileated Woodpecker
Javelina
Other designs:
Waterspirit
SeaSpirit
Sonoran Classic, Mark I, thru VI
Contemporary Classic, Mark I thru V
Block Options
The block piece is integral to the voice of the flute and is the Native American style flute's most recognizable feature. After function comes form in this case so choose the one you like.
Click images for larger view.