the many universal joints on a skidder
Acrylic on masonite, 30 x 17 inches (2008)

Perhaps I should explain what is being shown here: it's a detail of the mechanical parts of a tree skidder. That's the big, ugly machine that hauls the felled trees of the forest to an area where the trees are hauled away by large trucks, or cut to lengths first, and THEN hauled away by large trucks.

You may know these machines by trade names such as Tree Farmer or Timber Jack (apologies to the trademark owners). They have huge tires - often with chains - and growl and climb over rock, valley and other obstructions in the way of progress. Not intended as pretty - BMW doesn't make any (yet) - they certainly aren't. They are just muscular monsters and basically spend their lives pulling cellulose out of the forest, rain or shine.

The painting shows the details of several universal joints that are used for power distribution to the wheels and hydraulic pumps. The yellow chipped metalwork is one skidder, while the reddish bits are parts of a second skidder. You may ask why one would choose this as a painting subject? Well, it has all the basic shapes and distortions of those shapes in intentional and work-stressed forms.

Their is an inate beauty in all things: grease, dirt, oil and chipping paint should not be exempt.

Please do not reproduce the images in this display.
contact Douglas Laing, P.O. Box 659, Winchester, Ontario. K0C 2K0 613-774-5180
e-mail laing@monisys.ca
© 2008 Douglas Laing