Sigrid Vanek takes driftwood and sculpts the pieces - with the help of zip ties, screws and nails - into wooden wildlife at her Wrangell waterfront property.
Sigrid Vanek, driftwood sculptor, "raises wildlife" on her Wrangell beachfront property.
This summer, a curious bear made an appearance for Bearfest, the annual event now underway in town.
For years, the life-size, captivating animals have delighted family members and neighbors, startled tour ship passengers, and amused visitors from around the world who ask permission to photograph the wooden zoo.
Born and raised in Palmer, Vanek was introduced to Wrangell by Ken Lewis. Their annual Wrangell visits over 28 years stretched from a couple weeks to months. With the exception of 2020, visits got longer each year.
"I was looking for something to do while I was here in the summers. I quickly went through the pile of books I brought. My grandkid's totem pole with raven and eagle was the first thing I made," Vanek said of her woodwork.
"In 2015, I saw an online image of a driftwood horse. It prompted me to make a life-size moose. I create a central wire or wood body frame. Zip ties hold the internal pieces in position. I use screws - lots and lots of them - to attach most pieces," she explained.
"Tiny Bradley nails hold together smaller features like owl feathers. I need to wear gloves because the drill can jump off the screw. I go through a lot of drill batteries."
Though not a fan of flat puzzles, shaping animals is like making a big 3D puzzle, she said, adding enough wood until it all fits together. Dry, light driftwood is her go-to medium. She uses shells for seahorses' eyes and glass beads for bears' eyes.
Broken plates and driftwood pieces brought to her by others add to her critter construction. "Sometimes, I have to walk away for a bit, like when trying an octopus."
The wildlife is so realistic, it occasionally startles even the artist when she wakes up and glances outside the house. Other times, the Shustak Point wooden wildlife attracts the attention of boaters passing by the property.
Vanek has sold one eagle, but selling is just an afterthought, a side benefit. "I need to keep my mind and hands busy. I do it for me. No research. It's not a job, just something I like to do."
Seasons, wind, birds and more can alter her creations. So, she takes apart and rebuilds, sometimes more than once. Hoping the sculptures will last longer, this summer she experimented with a finish made of part paint thinner and linseed oil. When sprayed on, it only changes the color slightly.
Art is a family affair for Vanek, 56. Her mother and grandmother were painters. Her dad was creative with found objects. She and her sister host craft parties.
She also paints oil landscapes. Her favorite creation is based on her experience piling in a truck and picking blueberries all day with her family. Her "Blueberry Hills" painting has been shared among her family, each taking a turn at displaying the piece.
Vanek has been a farmer, a waitress and a university student. However, decorating cakes at Carrs, now Safeway, gave her 12 years of 3D experience.
She doesn't have a particular dream project in mind. "No, I do the art when I want. I tell my nieces there aren't any rules. You just act on it."
Her favorite and most inspirational place is the mountains around Palmer. Soon, Vanek will be at work at her Soldotna driftwood ranch, managing a couple moose, bear, eagles and an owl - one of which will be niece's wedding gift.
A tourist to Wrangell recently asked if he could take a sculpture home. "Of course, it won't fit onto a jet," Vanek answered, "but I have been known to take driftwood animal parts in my suitcases."
Reader Comments(0)