Cthulhu Cult Staff

The Staff of Cthulhu is certainly unique both in terms of the process and final product. Despite standing at 63” tall (a little longer if you measure with the curve) it’s surprisingly lightweight. The smooth, pale wood provided an excellent canvas for the wood-burning to really pop and stand out. However, the curved nature of a staff meant I had to wrap the image I wanted. The difficulty came in trying to navigate where to put what without bumping into something else. It also required texturing and slight shading which I hadn’t done with a wood-burner yet.

But, as you can see, Cthulhu’s hands, claws, wings, and mass off tentacles all fit within the limited space. Beneath the main depiction and hand grip made of black rawhide lace, are smaller cuneiform-like symbols I used to represent the phonetics of “Ph’nglui mglw’ nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn,” as it is in the Lovecraft mythos. It of course translates to “In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.” After the pyrography was done I sanded it again and gave it several layers of polyurethane for protection and its aesthetics.

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts/

Engraved Stones

I’ve recently by practicing engraving various depictions on stones with plans for a more extensive engraving project planned.

If you can’t tell, I have an affinity for ancient Egyptian culture and astronomy choosing to carve out ancient hieroglyphs and star constellations – Orion and the twelve signs of the zodiac. The larger black stones are coated with a water-proof sealant meant to protect the ink and giving the stones a remarkable sheen that came out wonderful!  The smaller colored and black stones have no coating since I used a paint-pen which dries quicker and won’t smudge despite handling.

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts/

Petroglyph Shaman Staff

 

Petroglyphs from around the world have a mysterious allure, recording stories lost to the ages. The entire upper half of this staff is ornately covered with petroglyphs from various cultures burned into the wood. Many originate from the American Southwest.

The decretive band is made of rawhide and adorned with numerous beads including 2 made from walrus teeth and another from a canine claw. The top has several stones embedded and wrapped with waxed hemp including tiger’s eye and a tektite – which was formed from the heat of a meteorite impact. It stands at 66” tall and has been given three coats of polyurethane for aesthetics and protection from the elements.

This staff is perfect for ceremonies, or just going for a casual walk.

SOLD

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts/

Native American Hiking Stick

 

I’ve always admired Native American culture and aesthetics and thought I could make a great cultural themed hiking stick, so I did.

There are 7 (6 distinct) symbols drawn on with metallic ink; a section wrapped with tan rawhide and bordered with black for grasping; seashells, beads, and feathers hanging from the side; two pieces of turquoise embedded; a purple gemstone on the top and it’s a few inches under 6’6″. It’s also been covered with a few coats of polyurethane, except for under the rawhide since the coatings were an afterthought.

The symbols depicted are 2 eagles, a kokopelli, turtle, bear, medicine wheel, and symbol for the sun. Symbols vary in their depictions and meanings depending on the tribe, but the overall meanings for each symbol used are as follows:

Eagle: Our national bird was deeply revered by Native Americans and represented numerous traits, but chief among them were courage, wisdom, and truth. Variations of those traits are also represented like honor, power, and freedom.

Kokopelli: This is a popular symbol even today and originates in the American Southwest. The mythical figure was believed to be the harbinger of Spring, playing his flute and dancing, the Kokopelli would spread joy and harmony while bringing the warmer months with him from village to village. He is also a potent symbol for agriculture and fertility.

Bear: Most animals symbols represent characteristics the animal itself possesses. The bear is the same way representing both strength and courage as well as motherhood (and other things associated with those like childbirth) because of how fiercely mother bears will protect their young.

Turtle: The slow, but steady turtle represents health and long life since they themselves live a long time, some live longer than humans. It’s also representative of protection and the ability to overcome and preserver as the shell allows the turtle to do.

Medicine Wheel: This is a very important symbol containing lots of information. It shows the cardinal directions and also the earth, sky, and circle of life. Each section is also associated with its own animal and color.

Sun Symbol: It obviously symbolizes the sun and played a large role in all ancient cultures since it is literally what makes life on Earth possible. It can represent powerful deities who were the “givers,” or “bringers” of light.

SOLD

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

Ceremonial Wizard Staff

I’ve finally finished it! A 6’6″ wizard staff! Started this piece a few years ago and added to it over time: first I found the stick, of course, and given its unique grooves I glued and embedded numerous crystals, shells, rocks, glass, and some coral into said grooves.

The vine (it’s actually a root) was uprooted by a friend attempting to build something in the woods. I kept it because it was extremely flexible and with a little time left to soak in some water it became bendable enough to wrap it more tightly around the branch.

Streaming down from the root are several strings of rawhide supporting beads, feathers, and animal bones. Most of the feathers came from blue-jays and the bones are most likely from a skunk, or raccoon- I found both the feathers and the bones so no animals were hunted down for the making of this awesome wizard staff!

At long last came the decision to give it a few coats of polyurethane for some weather-proofing and that nice, professional sheen.

It can be used during some kind of ceremony, for cosplay, or just for decoration. It could be used as a hiking stick, but it’s a bit heavy for that and the crystals and shells are fragile and likely to break while traipsing around the woods.

SOLD

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

Occupy Providence

Occupy Providence Occupy Providence Detail

An acrylic painting on 16″x20″ canvas of a woman hula-hooping inspired by the protests of the Occupy Movement that began in 2008. Finer details are done in metallic ink. The overall style is meant to be reminiscent of art deco and art nouveau.

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

Multicultural Ouija Board

Quija BoardQuija Board 3

Quija Board 2

A cross-cultural ouija board with traditional “yes,” “no,” “hello,” and “goodbye” responses, the English alphabet has been replaced with the Elder Futhark runes, an all-seeing eye radiates from the center and the words “O spirits, come forth and speak unto us peacefully, or leave us be,” in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics create a frame for the center. A unique symbol appears in each corner: Ankh, Eye of Horus, Wiccan Star, and the Ohm symbol. All the symbols have been lightly hand-etched. The center symbols are hand-painted and the hieroglyphics highlighted with gold ink. The board is approximately 14″x20″.

Artist: J.R. Goslant

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts