Harv Kolln

Spirit Birds

Artist Statement

These cedar sculptures represent no specific bird or particular group of birds. They are sculpted and stained to capture and convey the character, attitude and personality of many of our Northwest birds--their spirit.

Each bird is unique. I craft each one individually without patterns or drawings and let them evolve from Western Red Cedar scraps. The stain and color is applied in much the same way as I paint. I begin with a direction not a product in mind and then follow my instincts and listen to what the last mark I've made suggests I do next.

Before the last rubbing and waxing, I put the eyes where each bird asks me. After the eyes, when I look at them, they look back!

I cut no live Cedar. All of my wood comes from Mill discards.

Biography

Harv Kolln is a Northwest, Washington "native". He studied and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at San Francisco Art Institute and then returned to the Puget Sound region to earn his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington. He is a painter and wood sculptor in the Poulsbo area.