Mixed media sculptures pairing reclaimed wood with carefully crafted wildlife — resilience, freedom, and balance drawn from forest and coastline.
The Life of Eagles Collection celebrates the individual character of eagles and the trees they call home, bringing together reclaimed wood and carefully handcrafted wildlife to create a story that could never be repeated.
Each eagle is uniqely individual. Their posture, position, expression, and movement give each a distinct personality, whether watchful, protective, curious, contemplative, or boldly taking flight, while the flowing lines of the tree create the landscape in which that personality comes to life.
Each tree has its own twists, scars, curves, and unexpected directions, and rather than simply supporting the sculpture, its natural form guides the composition and helps determine the story that emerges.
Every sculpture is a collaboration between nature and the artist. No two trees are alike, no two eagles tell quite the same story, and each finished piece becomes a completely original expression of character, movement, and the interconnectedness of the natural world.
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 44″
Dramatic windswept branches · Deep grey rock at the base
The quiet resilience of nature: a windswept, weathered and twisting tree reaching outward with strength and grace while a soaring eagle banks into the wind. A study in freedom, vision, and the courage to "fly against the wind".
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 45″
Flat white rock at the base · Nest with two chicks · Leans away from the viewer
A celebration of home as a place of protection, belonging, and hope. A nurturing bald eagle watches over two eaglets nestled safely in their woven nest while, above, its mate arrives with fresh branches in its talons, representing the shared effort of true partnership and continual care required to sustain a family.
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 51"
Three eagles each with distinct personalities
Siblings captures three bald eagles sharing the same tree yet displaying distinctly different personalities - one bold and adventurous as it takes flight, another confident and watchful from the highest perch, and a third squawking from below. Their different postures, positions and personalities reflect the individuality and dynamics often found between siblings: each experiencing the same world from a different perspective, yet remaining connected by a common home and bond. Siblings is a celebration of family, individuality, and the different paths we take as we find our own place in the world.
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 50″
Tall and complete knot in trunk
Elevation is designed to give the viewer an impression of height and majesty as the eye is drawn upward toward a solitary bald eagle soaring high above with wings fully extended, catching the updrafts as it climbs toward the sky, representing freedom, success, and achievement in harmony with nature.
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 42¾″
Large white rock at the base
Launch is Russell's favourite piece. This beautiful weathered, twisting tree, wrapped and anchored on a white quartz rock, supports two bald eagles at different stages of flight and rest. One spreads its wings above, capturing the moment of takeoff, while the other calls out from a lower branch, representing patience, vigilance, stability quiet strength.
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 40½″
Large eagle arriving holding a freshly caught salmon
Perched at the summit, the upper eagle arrives with a freshly caught salmon in its talons, symbolizing achievement, provision, the reward of patience and precision, while the lower eagle watches from below, representing wisdom, resilience, and quiet vigilance.
Reclaimed wood, mixed media
Height 30"
Snow covered tree and ground
This mixed media sculpture captures the quiet beauty and resilience of winter, where a solitary snow-covered tree stands steadfast beneath the weight of the season as a bald eagle glides effortlessly overhead. The stark contrast between the bare branches and the soaring eagle symbolizes hope, endurance, and the promise that even in life's coldest moments, freedom and opportunity remain within reach. This piece invites viewers to reflect on perseverance, the changing seasons of life, and the strength to rise above every challenge.
Close perspective
Every imperfection in the wood informs the placement of the subject. The artist allows themself to be guided by the natural formation of the branches to tell the story of the Life of Eagles, and their message to humanity. The Eagles themselves are hand-crafted in fine detail, from the wings, beak, talons, eyes — down to every single feather which is carefully placed and hand-painted.
Height 18″
In progress. Photographs to follow.
The Artist
Russell lets each piece of reclaimed wood dictate its own direction — a knot, a split, or a windswept curve becomes the starting point rather than something to correct. Each tree tells a story, and each bald eagle is created, shaped and hand-painted to complete the story which is presented and guided by the flow and nature of the wood itself.
Building on experience with acrylic painting, sketching, woodworking and sculpting, this collection is the culmination of decades of creativity, experimentation, exploration and a love of nature and being outdoors.
“This collection is inspired by my wife Christine's love of eagles. Whenever we drive around South-Western British Columbia, she enjoys watching for bald eagles sitting in what she calls ‘Eagle Trees’. My first creation was a Christmas gift for her. This one's not for sale, of course.”