Artist Creates Detailed Driftwood Sculptures That Seem Like The Spirits Of Nature

How many of you look back at a piece of old wood on the ground once you've walked past one? Why do we need to do so? It's just a stick, right?

It's how we - the ordinary people feel. But, we found the Canadian artist Debra Bernier an extraordinary person who interacts with old pieces of wood. She creates magical and earthly driftwood carvings with so much detail.  

She carves images of animals and humans in the driftwood pieces in different forms. Her driftwood art sculptures are mystical and have a timeless quality. She often inspires carvings by animals, children and nature. Her works celebrate the natural world.    

“The completed pieces of driftwood sculptures reflect my family, life, children as well as the eternal relationship between us and nature." 

A piece of wood is a beautiful natural material that gives an amazing inspiration for artists. It always has a unique property regardless of its use. Whether it's used as a canvas for painting or carved into realistic sculptures. 

The secret behind Bernier's beautiful driftwood carvings is the addition of beauty with other natural wear and tear elements such as shells that make them more detailed. 

Scroll down to check out her amazing artwork. I'm pretty sure that you'd stop a little to look at the pieces of driftwood or a gnarled old branch after seeing her amazing work.

Debra Bernier: Facebook | Etsy

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

“I never start my driftwood work on an empty canvas. All types of driftwood are already sculptures. The artists of those original sculptures are wind and waves. A piece of wood always tells a story and I always think of its journey while keeping it in my hand. I often shorten or extend the contours and the curves into the shapes of faces which suggest a unique combination of nature and art."

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

The faces that she creates depend on the shape of the piece of wood. 

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

Her creations often make the viewers feel connected to the natural world. 

Most of her driftwood statues contain female shapes to symbolize the strength and the power of women. 

The driftwood mermaid sculpture with a pregnant belly had been created to evoke ideas of both nature and motherhood.

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

The sculpture of a mother and child in a beautiful pink conch is an example for using clay and shells.

The rough and imperfect surfaces of her sculptures make us feel like they are ancient stuff. Bernier has a wonderful talent to capture a wide range of emotions and human experience. 

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

The themes of her sculptures are love and connection, women, healing, children, uncertainty and inner strength.  

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

modern driftwood sculpture

Image source: Debra Bernier

Those who are interested in these can check the driftwood statues for sale on her Etsy shop. And also, you can purchase printed cards at low costs there. Follow Bernier on Facebook to be in touch with her projects. Happy trails until we meet again!

0/Post a Comment/Comments