Canadian Wildlife Soapstone Sculptor
Dawna Robertson's
Beaver Sculptures & Rehabilitation Stories
Our Global Ecological Footprints
with
Nature's "Sculptors, Architects and Engineers" - the Beavers
"They'll capture your heart!"
The Preservation and Safety of our Beavers is a Global Concern
A Canadian Ecological Footprint with Beavers
through the
Eyes of an Artist , Hands of a Sculptor & Heart of a Mom
I have been asked a number of times when I was going to carve a beaver for which my response was always
"I want to but have not had the opportunity as yet" nor a commission request for one. Over the course of one month I have had three requests! As the saying goes - good things sometimes come in threes and those times always make me pay more attention to the "reasons" behind it. I am grateful for the opportunities which have arrived to sculpt beavers. I always thought they had a sweet disposition and as everyone has been told at somepoint in their life I was a "busy little beaver". I knew they worked hard to build their dams but often if we don't see things up close and personally, we tend to take things for granted. The beavers are the hardest workers of our environment whom work diligently, quietly and devotingly to gift us our wilderness and wetlands in addition to building a natural habitat for other wildlife to survive and thrive.
Today my close relative in Scotland sent me a BBC Article about the re-introduction of beavers into Scotland. They went to great measures with the Minister of Natural Resources and a team in Norway to study a beaver family in great length to make sure that that they captured an entire family and none were left behind. After they humanely caught the beaver family, they then went into quarantine for a six month period. Here is the link to the BBC article released today (May 20,2009) :
The process of my sculpting involves extensive hours of internet researching and "training my eyes" for the proper proportion and movement of the animals I portray in order to do the best I can to do them justice. The beaver has been a real "eye opener" to a topic which is often kept "behind closed doors" or becomes one of much political debate, mindsets or beliefs. It is for this reason, that I have changed the way in which I present this beaver section on my website. It is up to each individual to decide for themselves what they feel is best for the greater good, the beavers and our Mother Earth.
The question then came to me on how I can personally bring this topic to the publics awareness when changing laws is such an arduous task. The only way I knew how is to tell the "story" through my sculpting and this website. If you are as moved as I am perhaps you might like to see a few inside looks at what the beaver does for our environment by watching these short "YouTube" videos below. They are safe for children and hold a high educational value by showing how they build they "sculpt" their intricate creations.
People all over the world recognize the beaver as our symbol of Canada. "OUR Peaceable Kingdom" is possible only if only we extend the respect to others and admire them for all they contribute. All of us love it when we are admired and appreciated. Perhaps, if we talk about the issues and bring it to the forefront of awareness, together we can make a difference?
I hope you have enjoyed the videos and your family discussions! Dawna
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MOVIE - "GREY OWL" (ABOUT BEAVERS) WITH PIERCE BROSNAN!!!
Please click on
(located at the bottom of the Gallery Store Page) to add comments/suggestions
about the new Beaver Section
Please double click on this box and it will take you to the official YouTube site where you can view this interesting video by BBC!
My first Baby Beaver Sculpture!
Commission: Leeds, England, UK.
Full photo coverage of the carving progress is located by clicking on
For those interested in the BEST traditional Carving and Stone Mason Tools money can buy, please check out my clients website.
They are based in Leeds, England but also have a USA site!
G-Gibson Tools is a family run and operated business with the highest degree of quality tools, integrity and value!
I am shown working with the beginning piece of brazilian soapstone using a rubber mallet and tooth chisel made by
G-Gibson Tools.
LEEDS, ENGLAND
Half way into the carving process
My rendition of the baby kit "Whiskers" is completed inspired by the beauty, gentleness and awe of all they bring and contribute to our world.
BEAVER VIDEOS Courtesy of YouTube here to add text.
This page was last updated: December 10, 2009
"Quibble, Denzid & Audrey"
This stages of this sculpture are featured on my "Carvings in Progress" Page
The sticks you see in the photos were chewed and cleaned by a real beaver named "Denzid"!
Please help us raise the awareness to protect our beavers. Thank you!
This little soapstone beaver "Whiskers" had loads of sweet personality. A number of people thought he was real. It's true what they say - soapstone has a spirit all it's own that just makes the animals come alive! I miss him though I know he is being loved in Leeds, England!
The Real Life Story of the beaver kit named
"Casey - The Caregiver"
The beaver kit who grew up to be a compassionate adult.
I recently received a commission to do a beaver kit sculpture to be given as a group gift for a child's teachers. When I read the story about the real beaver kit named "Casey" I knew this would be the perfect real life story to portray in stone.
Casey was received by Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary as a kit who was dynamited out of his family's den....he was the only one to survive. Lost, lonely and yes, heartbroken this little kit wandered up to the shores of a retired trapper. When Aspen Valley arrived at this man's residence he was sitting in a rocking chair cradling the little kit in a towel. Obviously (and thankfully) this once retired trapper became one who cared about the beavers.
One day in Audrey Tournay's care she went to change the straw of the other beavers she had in her keep. They were not co-operative so she chose to leave it to another time. As she went about her day she heard a rocus downstairs, she went to see what was happening and found "Casey" had gone done to the other beavers and sequestered them into a corner so that Casey could clean their straw. He proceeded to remove the old straw and replace with the new as the other two beavers sat (litterally in the corner!) and watched. Casey then proceeded to carry sticks and more straw to clean up their area! Later on Casey took it upon himself to help a paralyzed beaver regain its ability to swim and walk again! That story, will definitely be an upcoming sculpture! I hope you enjoy seeing the photos of my version of "Casey - The Caregiver"!
"Casey the Caregiver"
Brazilian Soapstone
Casey is holding a stick chewed by a real beaver named "Denzid"
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation REAL BEAVER KIT STORY!
Raising a Beaver Kit "Archie/Archette"
(Named after the movie "Grey Owl's" Character "Archie Belaney Grey Owl")
Photos Courtesy of The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Madden, Alberta, Canada
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation raising Beaver Kit "Archie/Archette"
Photos & Story of Beaver Rehabilitation
AIWC does amazing work rehabilitating sick and injured
wildlife! A MUST SEE!
Archie after a nice swim!
Notice the big pack paws!
Photos provided by Dennis Hanna, AIWC
The Story about the Beaver Kit "Archie/Archette"
It was the evening of June 1st, 2009 when a young beaver kit made its way to the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation. It had been found in a park near the Oldman River totally on its own in Lethbridge, Alberta. Two very caring ladies found him and called AIWC immediately to see what could be done. Since the description of the young beaver's plight over the phone seemed very dire it was arranged with the finders to meet one of our volunteer drivers about halfway - even with this it was a 4 hour round trip to get the beleaguered beaver kit to our location. It arrived about 9 pm the same evening and received a thorough exam by one of AIWC's staff members. It was estimated at the time that the young kit was about 2 weeks old with his initial weight being only 785 grams. The baby beaver was considered to be quite thin for his age so appropriate measures were taken to care for it. This included being fed a special formula every 3-4 hours as well as constant monitoring to make sure his condition improved.
Luckily this is exactly what happened though initially the young kit was a grumpy and very fussy feeder which necessitated extreme patience to be taken by AIWC staff members!!! Soon the beaver kit progressed to eating some solids and finally to eating solids consistently. His favourite treats are small pieces of apple as well as carrots with poplar and willow "browse" brought in to help supplement his diet. During the summer months the beaver has been escorted outside to a small pool especially set up for him with staff and volunteers eagerly looking on to note his comical antics. The beavers favourite pastime is to vocalize when someone enters the room expecting immediate attention!!! The pool room downstairs at AIWC is presently being renovated to accomodate the beavers need for overwintering. If everything goes well - it is hoped that the beaver will be released back into the wild in the spring of 2010 in an appropriate area yet to be determined.
August 12, 2009
By Dennis Hanna
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Canadian Beaver Soapstone Carving
"Quibble, Denzid & Audrey" coming out of log
UPDATE: BADGER WAS REHABILITATED
AND RE-RELEASED INTO THE WILD!
