Pathing Sticks

2000 – 2022

The idea for the series “Pathing Sticks” came to me as I attempted to cross a wide and fast running section of the Yellowstone River in the wilds of Wyoming. When I finally reached the other side, dripping wet from head to toe, I decided to make myself a walking stick. I soon discovered that I had just joined the ranks of an ancient tradition of walking staff users.

Sticks, staves, and poles have been incorporated into many traditions for millenniums. Some have put an emphasis on protection, others on symbolic stability or spiritual grounding. Shamans used a magic staff to help them travel to the underworld. Taoist monks perfected stick handling to protect themselves while traveling. Shepherds guided their flocks.

I have read that there is a Sanskrit word pratipadyate which means “he or she paths”. A noun becomes a verb, stillness becomes movement.

Pathing Stick #1, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #1, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #4, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #4, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #4, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #4, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #5, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #5, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #5, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #5, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #9, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #9, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #9, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #9, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #10, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #10, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #10, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #10, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #11, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #11, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #11, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #11, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #13, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #13, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #13, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #13, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #14, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #14, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #14, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #14, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #22, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #22, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #22, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #22, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #23, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #23, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #23, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #23, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #24, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #24, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #24, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #24, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #27, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #27, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #27, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #27, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #29, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #29, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #29, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #29, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #30, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #30, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #30, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #30, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #34, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #34, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #38, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #38, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #38, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #38, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #39, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #39, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #39, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #39, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #40, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #40, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #40, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #40, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #41, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #41, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #41, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #41, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #44, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #44, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #44, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #44, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #45, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #45, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #45, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #45, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #46, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #46, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #46, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #46, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #48, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #48, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #49, approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #49, approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #49, (detail) approximately 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #49, (detail) approximately 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #50, approximately. 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #50, approximately. 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Stick #50, (detail) approximately. 72",
mixed media on wood — Pathing Stick #50, (detail) approximately. 72", mixed media on wood

Pathing Sticks

2000 – 2022

Drawings

Text Series