The Kingdom & I Have Come

For the Kingdom & I Have Come

12"x24"x2" cherry

1999, collections of J. Horn and R. Groehler

This was one of two works that I lost track of.. the influence of Flaten should be obvious.

In 2020, I found two photos in our files that began a search for the whereabout of these carvings. There's a long and emotional story behind them that involves St. Olaf College music, and suffice it to say that we were visited by two angels who provided something surprising, generous, and unexpected. In deepest gratitude, these two pieces were given to the individuals as a gift of thanks.

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Newborn Stars...

Newborn Stars 2013, 2014 walnut, 30"x60" collection Zion Lutheran Church, Hopkins MN I have gone through this process many times before--finding a text in a piece of choral music that is the source material for work in wood. As a choral singer, it takes some time to learn new music--notes, intervals, phrasing, tempo--and then at some unexpected time, a phrase or verse hits like the proverbial ton of bricks. Sometimes there are tears, often I just can't sing for a while when the profoundness of the text finally hits home. This text is one of those. It's a hymn text written by writer/theologian/musician Dr. Carl Daw, and the hymn is " As Newborn Stars Were Stirred to Song." It was the perfect metaphor, especially the last verse-- the symbolism of the redeeming Christ set into musical terminology that just struck me... and a perfect choice to change the text into wood. An example of 'interchange', a favorite technique that I can onl...

There is no space for fear

There is no space for fear.. 2021, 15", oiled walnut and brass collection of M. Sheie, Portland OR A gift for my brother Steve, facing significant health challenges that ultimately took him. He was craftsman with high standards, varied interests, and a deep love for others. There is something special about the grain and color of walnut that makes it deep and rich, and the contrast with the polished brass is striking. " There is no space for fear " I think it's from a text in a Rene Clausen choral work.. I'll find it here somewhere.. where did I put that? Choral geeks--help!

Shelley: To a Skylark

To a Skylark 2014 cherry,12"x84" collection of the artist, Anoka MN With deep gratitude to fellow choral singer and St. Olaf friend Eldri Wittkamper.. We just wanted to stop by and see the house where Eldri's relative lived, one of the Roe family who taught voice at St. Olaf. We knocked on the door, and it turns out the house was occupied by the mayor of Northfield, who invited us in. My jaw dropped when I saw it--the style was unmistakeable--it was a Flaten work surrounding the mantelpiece at the fireplace. The text is a selection from Percy Bysshe Shelley, "To a Skylark": Higher still and higher From the earth thou springest Like a cloud of fire; The blue deep thou wingest, And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest. Since we couldn't guarantee access to the house in the future, it was a stroke of luck that Eldri had a rubbing of the work, an exact copy. From the rubbing, I was able to reproduce the carving exactly as Arnold did it. I g...

Chasing Arnold Flaten

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