I love building out of barn wood. I find it is usually a reflection of me.
I look through the stacks of lumber in my garage and find some interesting and colorful boards. I try to be choosey and pick what looks best. About then I get an idea of what it could be… and I start!
I make my cuts and lay out the pieces. I start to see my vision manifest before me. As I work the project, I see bends and twists, cracks and flaws shaping the boards. I choose strategic cuts to work around the imperfections. I do my very best to bring out the things I want people to see and remove the ones I want no one to see.
It slowly comes together as some slight imperfections can be manipulated to fit the project. A dropped board, a bent corner… it’s all character! But it needs a strong frame. It needs strength to carry it through the years ahead.
I choose a board, make the cuts and attach the two together. It has strength and yet again a deep rooted colour.
But in the final assembly I find there are still notable warps and bends. It was not restored completely as the passing of time took its toll. Many imperfections remain.
I sand, then paint…the finish draws out it’s inner colour, this creation starts a new chapter, a new life.
I stand back to see beauty in the cracks, bends and twists and realize it’s me.
The things in my life I work so hard to cover up and cut away is what makes me who I am.
Together these disfigured barn boards and I are being restored, we are beautiful in our creator’s eyes!
Comentários