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Inspiration: Fay Helfer

I discovered Fay Helfer via one of my favorite blogs, Street Anatomy. Pyrography – the practice of wood burning – is a long time camp favorite. I remember trying it a few years ago and had results that were mediocre at best (and I broke the tip of the tool - sorry, Ken!). Fay Helfer combines elegant pyrography with colored pencil and pastel on wood to create organic and anatomical images.

The work I was initially drawn to is the Hearts series. The veins in heart and the wood are echoed in branches and roots. The organs become fertile soil.

Driftwood Heart and Clover Heart by Fay Helfer

Driftwood Heart 03 and Clover Heart

Seedling Heart and Sea Fan Heart by Fay Helfer

Seedling Heart and Sea Fan Heart

Asparagus Heart by Fay Helfer

Asparagus Heart by Fay Helfer

Her Snail series is beautiful - gravity defying piles of quirky snails with colorful shells and rainbow trails...

Snail Pile 02 and Snail Pile 06 by Fay Helger

Snail Pile 02 and Snail Pile 06

Snail Back Ride by Fay Helger

Snail Back Ride

... but it's these two ladies with snail hair make me smile the most.

Snail Do by Fay Helfer

Snail DO

Snail Do Lady by Fay Helfer

Snail Do Lady