Whether it’s a piece of bark or a fallen branch, we often ignore these things and leave them lying on the ground. But artist Debra Bernier sees a whole heart beating inside these discarded pieces. She uses her magical talent and turns bark and branches into spectacular driftwood sculptures. Let’s look at some spirits of nature and get an impression of how human traits are combined with natural material.
Debra has a unique style and cannot be confused with anything else.
There is no magic here, only creativity. Debra hails from Victoria, British Columbia and finds pieces of driftwood there and then creates her delicate figures. Her hands give birth to the sleeping faces of women, and it seems that their eyes will open.
All the details are carved in the most unusual angles because the artist makes her sculptures to match the natural contours of the material.
The artist has a peculiar vision of nature.
Debra does not see branches, shells or bark as something inanimate. She says, “When I work with driftwood, I never start with a blank canvas. Each piece of driftwood is already a sculpture, created by the caress of waves and wind.”
The sculptor gets his inspiration from his love for children, animals and nature. “The finished pieces are a reflection not only of my life, my family and my children, but also the eternal, sacred connection we all share with nature,” she says.
Love for this type of art is in Debra’s blood.
The artist has been deeply in love with nature since early childhood. He feels lucky and grateful to be able to share that love and his art with his fans.
Debra reveals, “The little girl in me is still fascinated by the shapes in the wood, the sun glinting on the water, the smooth gray stones and salty seaweed. Simplicity brings me more happiness than complexity. I hope to share it with others.”
Debra teaches people the important lesson of love.
Each of Debra’s driftwood sculptures tells a whole story. The figures reveal themes of beauty, motherhood and fertility. When you look at the sculptures, you may have impressions of joy and sadness. Debra’s work aims to teach us to recognize that nature is already art, and the purpose of man is to live in peace with this natural harmony.
So the next time you see a piece of bark, a fallen leaf, or a broken branch on the ground, you might want to do a double take. The art may already be there.
