A Grief Observed

I turned the heart on two different axes, and then carved and pyro textured a portion. Functionally, the heart is a bud vase. Finished with shellac and lacquer. The non-wood portion of the stand is the handle of a vintage silver-plated spoon, and some brass hardware. The heart can be removed from the stand. I ebonized the base via black lacquer, and finished with clear satin lacquer. Here are a couple of alternative views:

There are a lot of significant passages in C.S. Lewis' collection, but one in particular is haunting:

"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing."

You really captured the feeling with your turning and the quote is hauntingly accurate.
Thanks.

Wow! It's really cool you took an idea and emotion from paper, to wood!

Awesome piece...the story behind it is so sad and the emotion of the art reflects that.

As always you captured it well.

Excellent swap piece Michael! The fact that you personalized it for the recipient will make it all that more special! What Gabriel said is sooo fitting!!

Beautiful

Thank you all for the kind words. This was a pretty heavy piece to make. Although I did not suffer the loss, the making process forced me to think about relationships, grief, the bereavement process, and life’s timeline.

Reading the comments, you have struck the heart strings of all with this peice. Thoughtful and moving!