For Life Force Arts Center's The Spirit of Wood art exhibit, artist Sharon Bechtold created a new artwork, "Green Man & May Queen," with pyrography (burning images into wood). 

She says of her artistic process: "Pyrography is a metaphor for life. The burning of the wood — destruction or death — gives birth to new life — in an image. Each piece of wood is unique: its own history told within each line of grain and ring marking the passage of time. The burning instruments range from the open flame of a blow torch to various heated metal surfaces, soldering irons, and burning blades.

"The pyrographic process itself is a highly sensual experience. The smell of burning wood relaxes the mind and body. Fast burns contrast with slow burns trailing wisps of smoke. Texture created by the burning adds a tactile aspect to the artwork. A delicate dance between the artist, materials, tools, and process ends in the final orchestration of image."

Joan Forest Mage, LFAC's founder and director, asked Sharon for a picture of the artwork she was creating during the show, a photo of the Green Man. This note followed, along with the picture you see below.

Joan,

When you asked me to get you a photo of the Green Man I went down to the studio and could not get a decent shot.  Glare was everywhere.  No matter what I did, the shots were unusable.  I really didn't feel he was ready to visually emerge yet. 

So I fired up the burner and decided to burn in a few leaves that I had penciled in. 

He was not happy. 

In fact, my sketch refused to be burned (those who are artists understand what I mean by this) no matter what I did I could not put it together. 

He wanted oak leaves - I had drawn him with a variety of leaves, from maple to ash to ivy.  He wanted oak. 

So I searched for my black oak references (I burn lots of black oak - pretty leaf).  Can't find them - entire studio files wound up on the floor.  Now the kids and husband are hungry.  Green Man stares back at me - not giving an inch.  I know what he wants.  White Oak.

Ugh, I don't generally burn that.  Last time I really worked with White Oak was at Yule when I fashioned the Oak King's crown for a ritual.  White Oak is, well... kind of... not uniform in shape.  They can go here, there, and everywhere.  Oh, I can make them uniform, but I knew that was NOT his intention. 

So I pulled a dozen or so references and began to sketch them in.  Not working.  Kids are now eating cookies (I'm wondering how much nutrition is in an Oreo). 

So I finally gave in and burned blind (yes, Joan, I know we were joking about this on Thursday).  I gazed at the references and let the burner go... controlling it by feel. 

It worked - He won.  Looks much better than my feeble attempts.  The image is still very rough, and I think He has much to teach me this week. 

Anyhow, time to do something tasty with pasta and crab (we are now out of Oreos).  So before my family dies of starvation (or finds my hidden stash of Breyers), here He is... WILD. 

Sharon :)

Update by LFAC Staff:  "Green Man and May Queen" is now titled "The Lord And Lady Of The Greenwood."  

As a third generation artist Sharon Bechtold grew up around a variety of art materials, tools and the encouragement that have been instrumental to her development. After completing studies in commercial art, fine art, and photography, Sharon worked as a graphic designer in the family business. Her oil paintings, watercolors, and pyrographs, have won numerous awards and been represented by galleries throughout the Chicago area. Since 1988 she has taught art both at the adult level and children’s classes. During the last 7 years she has devoted herself exclusively to pyrography, developing her own unique style, based on classical art principles, in order to render a realistic image guided by inspiration.