Unique Handcrafted Awards, Gifts & Keepsakes
A Selection Of Past Commissions
The Solo Carry
Presented to Kevin Vickers, former Sargent at Arms for the House of Commons and to Gord Nixon, former CEO of RBC.
Done in a red, ochre-like wood inlay, the portage man is elevated to the level of the sacred rock painting. He is framed within the sides of the paddle blade much like cathedral windows; he is walking through sacred space.
The solo carry then takes on several possible meanings from a journey on one’s own with resultant feelings of self sufficiency and connection to place, to a more symbolic one of having a burden to bear and the necessity of working through it alone and in nature.
Le Gouvernail
Presented to Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson in 2015. Commissioned by The Ottawa River Keeper.
The Ottawa river, as a major trade route, is a great symbol for the unity and cooperation behind the building of this country.
In the Voyageur boat, the largest paddle in the boat was the Gourvernail paddle, used at the back to steer the ship - a fitting tool for someone such as Mayor Watson.
The Fall Series
Presented to Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of Canada and Stephen Poloz, the current governor of the bank of Canada for their contribution to the Ottawa River Keeper.
This series began with a walnut tree that I acquired in Perth, Ontario. That is a story in itself, but the short of it is that I milled the logs and the wood was so special that I left it to air dry for several years, waiting for a project to do it justice.
The paddle is made from that walnut and the maple leaves are from curly maple.
The grain of the maple worked perfectly to match the veins of a maple leaf.
A unique way to express your gratitude or commemorate a moment
Title
Presented to Justice Murray Sinclair
Done in a red, ochre-like wood inlay, the portage man is elevated to the level of the sacred rock painting. He is framed within the sides of the paddle blade much like cathedral windows; he is walking through sacred space.
The solo carry then takes on several possible meanings from a journey on one’s own with resultant feelings of self sufficiency and connection to place, to a more symbolic one of having a burden to bear and the necessity of working through it alone and in nature.
Title
Presented to....
Kevin Vickers, former Sargent at Arms for the House of Commons and to Gord Nixon, former CEO of RBC.
Done in a red, ochre-like wood inlay, the portage man is elevated to the level of the sacred rock painting. He is framed within the sides of the paddle blade much like cathedral windows; he is walking through sacred space.
The solo carry then takes on several possible meanings from a journey on one’s own with resultant feelings of self sufficiency and connection to place, to a more symbolic one of having a burden to bear and the necessity of working through it alone and in nature.
Greenland Paddles
Commissioned by Students On Ice for one of their polar expeditions...
Title
Presented to....
Kevin Vickers, former Sargent at Arms for the House of Commons and to Gord Nixon, former CEO of RBC.
Done in a red, ochre-like wood inlay, the portage man is elevated to the level of the sacred rock painting. He is framed within the sides of the paddle blade much like cathedral windows; he is walking through sacred space.
The solo carry then takes on several possible meanings from a journey on one’s own with resultant feelings of self sufficiency and connection to place, to a more symbolic one of having a burden to bear and the necessity of working through it alone and in nature.
Title
Presented to....
Kevin Vickers, former Sargent at Arms for the House of Commons and to Gord Nixon, former CEO of RBC.
Done in a red, ochre-like wood inlay, the portage man is elevated to the level of the sacred rock painting. He is framed within the sides of the paddle blade much like cathedral windows; he is walking through sacred space.
The solo carry then takes on several possible meanings from a journey on one’s own with resultant feelings of self sufficiency and connection to place, to a more symbolic one of having a burden to bear and the necessity of working through it alone and in nature.
Past Partners
