A Year of Gratitude - More beautiful carvings

Wasn't Monday's post of the angels carved in the dead Oak tree beautiful?

I had so many emails/comments about that post.

So glad that tree touched your hearts like it did ours.

So glad we stayed an extra two days to see the tree and take the photos.

Today, I am showcasing two works of Martin Miller.
Another chain-saw artist from Fort Walton Beach, FL.
He grew up in a farming family in Iowa and is a 4th generation artist.
While stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, he became enthralled with a love
of the sea.
After tours of duty in Europe and Middle East he settled in FL.
His art is showcased in galleries, restaurants and private home through the world.
He felt lead to go back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2007, volunteering his time
and talents by carving the destroyed oaks and cedars into marine life he so loved.
In doing so, he hoped to bring a "spirit of renewal" to the badly beaten
and destroyed coastal area.

These are 17 foot wingspan eagles at the entrance to
The University of Southern Mississippi.
The Golden Eagle is their mascot.
No picture can do justice to these massive, expertly carved eagles.
Really, you just have to be there to take in the awesome power of hope these give out.

Look at the claws, the intricate way the wingspan is carved.
Mr. Miller is not a young man, he has five children and 2 or more grandchildren.
Yet, his heart was moved to yield the heavy chain saw for long periods of
time to bring hope to the Gulf Coast.

Trying to show the massive power of hope.
There was so much positive, heartfelt comments to the Dean of the University,
Mr. Miller was asked to carve another tree near the main campus.

This was a unique piece that Martin Miller carved
specifically to be ready for the celebration of
Beautify America
in Waveland, MS sometime after 2007
This beautiful piece sits at the intersection of US 90 and MS 603.
Very, very difficult to photograph as it sits on the small center lane of
the busy highway!
Can you see the three dolphins on top?
That is a turtle on the base of the tree with a fish.
Try as I might, I could not get a good shot of the turtle due to traffic/sunlight.

I did get a closer shot of the dolphins.

Have no idea what the letters carved under the dolphins stand for.

I have read that each piece he carved had a unique special meaning to location.

Since my son was stationed at Keesler also, I have a very special

attachment to the one of the last pieces Mr. Miller carved,

another 17 ft eagle on Keesler AFB, in front of the new commissary.

It was due to my son's being stationed in Biloxi that hubby and I

came to love this area so much that even after Bobby had gone elsewhere

we still went back to Biloxi.

Then Katrina hit and we finally went back last year in February.

 

To the courageous, beautiful people of the MS Gulf Coast

you have been such an inspiration.

You have believed.

You have worked so hard.

Together you have rebuilt your homes, your communities.

I salute each and every one of you!

We were coming into Biloxi just as the sun was setting.

So love this picture of "just a little piece" of the

beautiful MS Gulf Coast.

From my heart to yours, may your day be blessed!

Lynn