Celestial Followings
Cutting: Genuine Afrormosia Ply
Approximate Size: 8 inches x 11 inches
Completed on: November 25, 2010
Original Artwork: "Earth and Fire," Copyright Myles Pinkney
I have always enjoyed working with fantasy as a theme within my puzzles, and after I purchased this wonderful artwork, I couldn't wait to enter it's world and explore it with my imagination and with my saw.
"Celestial Followings" was cut from 1/4" Afrormosia ply, which is an absolutely gorgeous wood having a teak-like appearance with a nice golden grain. You will notice that there are several drop-outs within the puzzle, and I designed fancy edges on three of it's corners. In addition, there are many inset colorful Swarovski crystals which really explode nicely when light hits them, and help to add a touch of "magic" to the piece.
The puzzle features a wizard who I believe bases much of his craft on the study of astronomy. With his telescope hanging from his cloak, he marches purposefully across a hot volcanic landscape. I'm not sure if he is being led more by the dragon who travels with him, or by the stars, but most likely it is in part by both.
I cut a large semicircle around the wizard to highlight him from the rest of the puzzle, and to give the impression of a large sun on the horizon. The shooting stars which our small group follows are drop-outs, which I positioned to emphasized the flying birds in the sky.
Fancy geometric "Complex Figurals" adorn the heavens and are either mystical runes conjured by our astronomer, or are otherworldly celestial bodies themselves. I'll leave that distinction and interpretation totally to the puzzler's imagination.
Most of the puzzle is cut in a traditional style, but I did get some color-line cutting in at times. Here, our magician's mustache made a nice natural lock with his face.
Speaking of our wizard's beard, he might consider a trim. It looks like a small mouse Figural has taken up residence within it.
As always, I most enjoy discovering the many Figurals which find their way into the puzzles I cut.
The presence of the dragon in the artwork has attracted several reptile Figurals to come for a visit. Here you can see one of the lizards climbing the wizard's cloak to accept a small kind offering from his hand.
When assembling the puzzle, the assembler will discover a sword Figural piercing the dragons long, gem adorned tail. Our wizard has promised to finally remove the weapon, placed sharply by an agile adventurer looking for lore eons ago, once they reach their destination. With the constant motion of the world and it's heavens, however, destinations never seem to be still and are always another step or flight away.
As all good astronomers know, the cosmos keep a very tight and accurate time schedule. Many believe, in fact, that the heavens define time itself.
Our wizard has in his possession a very powerful and mystical hourglass which is coveted by those seeking to gain better control of the passage of time. A few Fire Sprite Figurals have come to see if they might be able to secretly snatch it away.
Here, one of them lifts his robe to get a better look.
Our wizard quickly leaves a sharp reminder of his power, however, with a magical blast from his staff into the earth.
The other Fire Sprite Figural takes heed, and wisely decides to leave the hourglass alone, and instead enjoy a rest while riding on the dragon's tail.
And finally, my dragon, Buff, has found interest in a particular cyclonic formation which spins freely within the skies. Who knows for how many millenia it has fastly twisted around and around?
Thanks for taking the time to look at my puzzle. I wish our small group good luck on their journey. I hear they might enjoy a stop and meal soon at the legendary Lava Falls, which are just beyond the next dry plateau. Of course, that's not too far...as the crow flies.
