Saturday, August 17, 2019

The Phenomenon that is Uta Strelive

Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up.
Pablo Picasso

      In the charming hamlet of Eden Mills, I had one of the singular pleasures of my life upon meeting Uta Strelive. When she opened her door and welcomed me into her home, I was greeted by the gentle strains of classical music playing softly in the background and an array of ornithological and other tomes facing me. I knew that the Muses had smiled on me today.


     Before getting down to the business which was the purpose of my visit, Uta poured me a coffee and we chatted about many things. In an instant I was taken with this vibrant artist and conversation flowed easily.
     Uta was born in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and managed to escape to the West and arrived in Canada in 1961. Through a series of events it was not long before she found herself at the University of Guelph teaching Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, a career which spanned twenty-five years.
     And it was here that an encounter with a graduate student named Pat Godin in 1981 introduced her to the world of wood carving, that unique art form that I have come to love and appreciate. Pat Godin, by the way, has gone on to become a world champion many times over, and is renowned internationally for his work.
     Wood carving has its origins in the working decoys used by hunters to assist them in putting food on the table, and since most hunters were men, it follows that carving decoys was dominated by men, and the subsequent progression to the fine art of decorative carving was in consequence predominantly a male occupation.
     I asked Uta whether she was intimidated at all about entering this world of masculine competition, and she replied, "Not for a moment!" I might say that I was not surprised by her response! She was quick to add that most men have been kind and supportive and she has experienced very little sexism. The field is still dominated by men but more women each year take up the challenge of competing in local and international competitions.


     Early on Uta took on the challenge of carving a Black-capped Chickadee, a bird very familiar to her, belonging to the same family as the Blue Tits that entranced her as a child in Europe. She was happy when someone recognized her carving as a chickadee before she painted it and this gave her the spur she needed to carry her creation a little further, and she entered it into the Sportsmen's Show in Toronto. Every element of a carving has to be created by the artist, with no natural substances permitted. Uta had gone to great lengths to perfect the foliage on her piece and had fashioned leaves out of metal with worm holes and other flaws to resemble foliage in nature. On the day of the competition she noticed that her carving had been set aside from the other entries and on inquiring as to the reason, she was told that she was not allowed to use real leaves! So realistic were they that one of the judges scraped a very small area with a knife and her carving quickly rejoined the others. She went on to win first prize! 
     As her career progressed Uta was greatly influenced by John Scheeler, an artist of great distinction who provided encouragement and expert tutelage, especially in the technique of animating a work.
     Let me now present to you a sampling of Uta's oeuvre, chosen by Uta herself as her all-time favourite pieces.

Common Tern and Herring Gull

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Eastern Meadowlark

Tufted Titmouse
     Who among us would not be thrilled to own any one of these masterpieces? This is creative genius at its best, the pinnacle of artistic talent and interpretation, perfection in execution, faithful in detail, lifelike in rendition.
     Uta is very involved with teaching and here are some of the "props" she uses to illustrate the process to her students.






     The students also have to be taught how to create the peripheral components of a work, including at different times, foliage, flowers, bark, lichens, moss etc.




     Feet are among the most challenging components of the bird and careful attention must be paid to the positioning of the toes, i.e. zygodactyl, anisodactyl, etc., with similar attention to the scaling on the legs. A bird, otherwise perfectly executed, with incorrect foot configuration, or a three-toed woodpecker with four toes would result in disqualification.




     Uta had set some of her carvings out on a table for me to examine, and I was especially taken by this rendition of a Blackburnian Warbler, a bird of which I am particularly fond.



     Everything about it is exquisite, and if you cast your eyes off to the left of the bird's bill you will see a small caterpillar, about to become food for the adult bird, or protein for hungry chicks back at the nest. It is a charming study by any reckoning.
     How about this Crested Tit, widespread in parts of Europe?



    Or this Belted Kingfisher?


   
     A Purple Gallinule is a stunningly handsome bird, encountered in the wetlands of the southern part of the continent, and found also in Central America.


    
     It goes on and on!





     Like most carvers Uta's principal medium is tupelo, but she prefers basswood if she can get it. She recounted that once she was working with a large block of tupelo and suddenly felt very itchy, and realized that the wood was full of fungus. Her face swelled up - not a pleasant experience!
     Uta completes her work using both power tools and conventional knives, employing each tool for the appropriate application, all with consummate skill.





     Her studio is impeccably clean and well organized and one can imagine the tranquility achieved by working in such an environment.








     Uta is a world class artist and she has won first place and best of show at most of the competitions she has entered including the most prestigious of all, the World Championship Woodcarving Competition in Ocean City, MD.
     You will not be surprised that her sculptures reside in the homes and boardrooms of discriminating purchasers throughout Europe and North America.
     It was an immense pleasure to meet her. She is a distinguished carver, an artist par excellence, but far more than that - a mother, a wife, an engaging conversationalist, a scientist and a citizen of the world.
     I simply have to think of an excuse to visit her again!
     
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

48 comments:

  1. Very impressive! It must be wonderful to watch her make the carvings.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello, thank you for introducing me to Uta. Her bird carvings are just beautiful. She surely deserved the first place win at the woodcarving competition. Great post and wonderful photos! Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those carvings are amazing. I particularly love the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and the Purple Gallinule, a bird that has become much more common in my area in recent years.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hari OM
    Oh my word - exquisite doesn't even come close to properly expressing the sense of life and beauty that arises even from your images; imagine being actually in the presence of these works! Thank you for bringing them to us David. YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Young David. It is clear you have fallen in love. The question is - does Uta make a good cup of coffee? The Black and White warbler is quite superb. Here it is rain, rain and more rain, very unlike summer and the wettest August on record - Global Wetting. Hoping to catch birds mid week.

    ReplyDelete
  6. If she got her basic education in a communist country, then say no more. Women under the communist regime worked as builders, truck drivers, and in everything else considered a 'man's work'. Wood carving is certainly not something to intimidate a woman like Uta.
    Her bird wood carvings displayed in your post are masterpieces.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Incredible carvings, so beautiful and realistic. A very talented world class carver.
    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Amigo mío y compadre David, hoy, mi intervención va a ser muy corta, porque ni tengo ni encuentro las palabras adecuadas para poder expresarme ante semejante belleza.
    Son piezas todas increíblemente bellas. Un majestuoso aplauso para la Ilustre señora Uta.
    Gracias por mostrarnos este maravilloso trabajo.
    Un fuerte abrazo querido amigo David.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awe and wonder. Her skill, and her dedication to her art is amazing. I envy you the chance to meet and talk with this woman. Thank you (so much) for sharing some of the magic.

    ReplyDelete
  10. How very talented!! I love the Golden Crowned Kinglets..she has a very nice studio to do her work in.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, I admire her work environment. Seems perfect for her creative endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello David, My compliments for this artist for here amazing carvings of birds out of a block of wood. One mistake and gone is that peace. That is what I admire about people who can make a statue, or anny subject out of a peace of marble or wood. Not only that but also know how to paint it in the right way. Stunning!
    Regards,
    Roos

    ReplyDelete
  13. Uta is a legend, a multi-talented genius. I was privileged to be her student and later her colleague in Parasitology at U of Guelph back in the 80s. She then went on to excel un interior decoration etc in addition to pursuing her passion in wood carving.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A very talented and knowledgeable carver. I marvel at every bird Uta carves interpreted in its environment.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Utan tvekan en mycket intressant och begåvad person på många sätt med en livshistoria i bagaget som inte varit en enkel resa. Imponerande alster du visar på bilderna, jag har svårt att föreställa mig vilket tålamod som krävs för att skapa något dylikt.
    Som alltid David, njuter jag lika mycket av ditt vackra språk som av det ämne du valt att ta upp. Jag översätter aldrig dina texter för då går så mycket förlorat, bra övning för mig i det engelska språket.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi David.

    This is amazing.
    How beautiful the carvings of the birds, and also the correct setting always added.
    How wonderful if you can do this.
    Good work from uta.

    Greeting from Patricia.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What astonishingly detailed work! A true artist.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How wonderful to see that rare combination of true artistry combined with superb technical skill. Every example of Uta's work that you show here, David, is mouth-wateringly beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Uta is a genius and creates masterpieces.She should be recognized for her talent and her work as a teacher par excellance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope that in some small way I have been able to confer that recognition.

      Delete
  20. Very beautiful al this birds.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, Wow, Wow! Thanks for showing us the work of this great artist.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my gosh, what can I say! Absolutely stunning work and such an impressive story. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi David,
    Yet again you fall on your feet with another wonderful visit to meet this highly talented lady. To be able to carve is on its own amazing but to be able to paint the final details leaves me in awe.
    To see her finished carvings, what a talent.
    All the best
    John

    ReplyDelete
  24. Excellent narrative and so well illustrated. Her story and her works are magnificent.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What an interesting post.
    Such amazing work.
    A joy from start to finish :)

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  26. David, what a wonderful post about this incredibly talented artist.
    You have to feel birds, to know them to create such beautiful carvings. I am very impressed by Uta Strelive's art work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi David,
    It is a miracle what kind of abilities some people have. To look at the world and producing this kind of art is sometimes incredible, as you have shown here before. She is a real artist.
    Greetings, Kees

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow - those birds are exquisite! I've very much enjoyed the first post of yours that I've read.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Remarkable! The skill of people who can does this is beyond me - I just dont know how they do. Maybe you should introduce this lady to some Australian Parrots!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  30. she sounds like an amazing woman with a wealth of talent!! her birds are exquisite, they do not look like they are made of wood!! i hate to hear that any field is dominated by one sex or another, good to see her challenging that and i am happy to hear that all of the men are so nice to her!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Excellent post that unveils a great artist who performs wonderful works of art, I liked all of them. Thank you for making it known.

    ReplyDelete
  32. She seems like a breath of fresh air. Her birds are inanimate yet seem full of movement and fluidity beneath the hands of such a talented artist. Interesting how she is able to produce such realism in the leaves. Her studio must be a joy to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  33. oh, this is wonderful and amazing. Such gorgeous art she creates. And for a birder it is even more beautiful. :) Thanks a lot for sharing the work of this artist. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. beautiful carvings!Iam amazed what she can do..Really an artist..She must be very found of the birds..Very nice post!

    ReplyDelete
  35. David, thank you for the wonderful sharing. Uta is a fantastic woman.Does a superb job!

    I really enjoyed getting to know the work and the talent.


    All the best,
    Mz

    ReplyDelete
  36. This amazing lady is our neighbour and her carvings are just beautiful. Wonderful article about her passion for this art form.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Enhorabuena a Uta por ese don maravilloso que tiene en sus manos que saben crear tanta belleza.
    Gracias por compartir David.
    Un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
  38. David - another fascinating interview. So glad to see a woman that has mastered this craft. Stunning pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  39. The skills of a wood carver never fail to amaze me, it must be a joy to produce such beautiful pieces of work. I'm very taken by the Heron, one of my favourite birds!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Muy lindas las tallas, me han encantado también. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  41. She is indeed very clever. Awesome creations!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi David - how very fortunate you live nearby and are able to visit ... she is so talented. Her sculptures are all so brilliant ... amazing ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  43. It is hard to believe these are from wood, David. Her workmanship is spectacular and she is indeed gifted. I loved taking a peek into her studio and learning more about this remarkable woman.

    ReplyDelete

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

Followers