Etsy Shop for davidburnssmith

Baldr's Fruit

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:54:12 -0500

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Fruit tell the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a lemon tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves, branches, & fruit. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my grandfather's garden, always mindful of the prowling alley cats and neighbors dogs.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Fruit is the perfect gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk. Baldr's Fruit is beautiful in any decor.

Baldr's Fruit

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:54:12 -0500

Sunday Wild Flower collection

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:35:33 -0500

$330.00
Sunday is named for Sól, Norse goddess of the sun. Sól was the sister of the moon god Máni. Pursued by the wolf Sköll, she was pilot of the sun chariot, pulled by the horses, Arvak and Alsvid.

This struggle depicted the solar eclipse. According to Norse mythology, prior to the end of the world at Ragnarok, Sól gives birth to a daughter, but is subsequently devoured by the wolf.

Named Sunna, the daughter takes her mother’s role as the sun charioteer.

Measuring 24 inches square, 2 inches deep, this is a beautifully detailed, textured painting. Shaping the hand crafted wood panel with chisels, rasps, & sandpaper, this painting is a one-of-a-kind addition to any home or office.

*Constructed between March and June of 2009, paintings from the Wild Flower collection include 10 & 24 inch square paintings celebrating Norse mythology & it's unique connection with the Gregorian calendar. Designed for special exhibition, these paintings are available at Wild Flower in St Louis, MO or direct to you from my studio, through Etsy.

Friday Wild Flower collection

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:55:26 -0500

$330.00
Friday is named for Frigga, Norse goddess of the atmosphere. Frigga was said to have spun the clouds in the sky. She was the wife of Odin and mother of Baldr.

Acting on dreams Baldr had of his own demise, Frigga traveled the world extracting a pledge from every living thing (except mistletoe) that it would not harm Baldr. This exception would be used against Baldr in the form of an arrow, guided by Loki the god of mischief, leading to Ragnarok.

Measuring 24 inches square, 2 inches deep, this is a beautifully detailed, textured painting. Shaping the hand crafted wood panel with chisels, rasps, & sandpaper, this painting is a one-of-a-kind addition to any home or office.

*Constructed between March and June of 2009, paintings from the Wild Flower collection include 10 & 24 inch square paintings celebrating Norse mythology & it's unique connection with the Gregorian calendar. Designed for special exhibition, these paintings are available at Wild Flower in St Louis, MO or direct to you from my studio, through Etsy.

Chikchan

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:05:28 -0500

$400.00
Day 5 of the Mayan calendar is known as the day of the coiled snake.

Chikchan represents the snake, open-jawed, springing skyward from a coiled position. The Maya word for snake is Kan or Chan and also represents “the sky.” The Mayan deity Kukulkan is said to have transformed into a great serpent adorned with quetzal feathers.

In the early 16th century, Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro initiated an expedition of Spanish conquistadors to overthrow the Aztec Empire. Legends suggest that the Aztec at first believed Cortés was the second coming of Quetzalcoatl, who is directly related to the Mayan Kulkulkan in origin.

Measuring 11” x 36”, Chikchan is comprised of three wood panels. Chikchan has been featured in my 2007 solo exhibition Tzolkin.

Baldr's Cat

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:17:37 -0500

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Cat tell the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves and branches. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs. All the while, deer silently watched from beyond the treeline nibbling.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Cat is the perfect gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk.

*Custom orders are available!
Got a picture of your pet?
I'll make a custom "Baldr's Bits" from a photo for only $45 + shipping and handling.
Send me a convo for details!

Muluk

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:46:38 -0500

$720.00
Named for 7th the day of the Mayan calendar, Muluk is known as the day of water.

Associated with purification and nourishment, the Maya offered regular sacrifices to Chac, the rain god. Clear water is contrasted with “black water,” which denotes the sacrificial well, believed to be the dark passage to Xibalbá.

Measuring 37 inches by 37 inches by 2.5 inches, Muluk consists of three panels hung 2 inches apart. Made from thick layers of acrylic, this piece is heavily textured. Finished with a glossy coat of acrylic, Muluk is handsome in any space or decor, be it commercial, residential, or heavily traveled areas.

Muluk comes packed with artist statement, hanging system, an easy-to-follow hanging template, and is packed for shipping by a professional art handler.

Saturday Wild Flower Collection

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:51:39 -0500

$330.00
Saturday –named for the Norse Laugardagr.

Laugardagr is known as washing day. Here, I am compelled to insert symbolic references to Loki, the trickster god who is a central figure in Norse mythology: Father of the giant wolf Fenrir.
Loki’s disposition is symbolic of man’s transient character, as he develops from a prankster to the malicious figure plotting the death of Baldr.

*Constructed in November of 2009, paintings from the Wild Flower collection measure 24 inch square celebrating Norse mythology & it's unique connection with the Gregorian calendar. Designed for special exhibition, these paintings are available at The Mud House in St Louis, MO or direct to you from my studio, through Etsy.

Friday

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:44:20 -0500

$90.00
Friday –from the Norse Frjádagr.

Frjádagr is named for the Norse goddess Frigga, wife of Odin, goddess of beauty, marriage, and the atmosphere, best known for forming the clouds in the sky on her spinning wheel.

Acting on dreams of her son's demise, Frigga traveled the world extracting a pledge from every living thing (except mistletoe) that it would not harm Baldr. This exception would be used against Baldr in the form of an arrow, guided by Loki the god of mischief, leading to Ragnarok.

Friday is an elegant, heavily textured acrylic painting. Measuring 10 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches, this piece is great alone or in a group of 3, 5, or 7.

Saturday

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:32:00 -0500

$90.00
Measuring 10 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches, Saturday is named for the Roman god Saturn, the only day of the Gregorian week not named for a Norse god.

However, it may be interesting to suggest a possible substitute mythos.

“What if?” Saturday were named for the Norse god Loki.
The trickster god Loki is a central figure in Norse mythology. Father of giant wolf Fenrir, a profound shape-shifter, of whom many comparisons have been made to the North American mythological figure Raven, Loki is symbolic of man’s transient character, as he develops from a prankster to the malicious figure plotting the death of Baldr(see Baldr's Bits).

Acrylic mediums on a hand shaped wooden panel, Saturday is one of a series of seven pieces in my new Ragnarok Series. Using a masking technique I have been working on for the past several years, Saturday has a subtly textured, taking on a sculptural form. Sealed with a glossy, archival coat of acrylic, this piece is idea for any decor.

Lamat

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:32:00 -0500

$2,000.00
The day of Venus, day 8 of the Mayan calendar.

"The Popol Vuh" is a Mayan text & tells the story of the divine twins Hunahpu (Venus) and Xbalanque (The Sun) who descend to Xibalbá, the underworld, challenged to a ball game. The twins face a series of tricks at the hands of the home team, the gods of the underworld. Just as Hunahpu hoped to sink the ball into the stone ring at midcourt, the Mayan calendar predicted that the universe would be plunged into darkness on December 21, 2012.

Lamat represents Hunahpu (Venus) and the ball court of Xibalbá.

This elegant white on white acrylic on wood is beautiful hung as a vertical or horizontal. Consisting of twin panels, Lamat is stunning on any color wall. Lamat ships in a custom wooden crate. For shipping details please send me a message with your address. Regional delivery (up to 600 miles of Saint Louis) includes professional installation by the artist.

96 inches
36 inches
2.5 inches

Baldr's Fruit Avocado Green

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:39:53 -0500

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Fruit tell the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a pear tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves, branches, & fruit. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs. All the while, deer silently watched from beyond the treeline nibbling.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Fruit is a charming gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk.

Tuesday

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:44:44 -0500

$90.00
Tuesday or Týsdagr is named for the Norse god Tyr, known for bravely sacrificing his hand to the giant wolf Fenrir to save his fellow gods. During Ragnarok (the Norse apocalypse) Fenrir escapes his leash and devours Odin, ruler of the gods.

Here, Tyr's sacrifice is symbolically represented as dogwood blossoms.

Acrylic on wood, measuring 10” x 10”, Tuesday is an elegant, textured painting. Alone or in a group of 3, 5, or 7, Tuesday makes for a beautiful addition to any collection fitting easily into any decor.

Baldr's Fruit Grass Green

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:29:56 -0500

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Fruit tell the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a pear tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves, branches, & fruit. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs. All the while, deer silently watched from beyond the treeline nibbling.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Fruit is a charming gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk.

Friday

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:01:57 -0500

$90.00
Friday is named for Frigga, Norse goddess of the atmosphere. Frigga was said to have spun the clouds in the sky. She was the wife of Odin and mother of Baldr.

Acting on dreams Baldr had of his own demise, Frigga traveled the world extracting a pledge from every living thing (except mistletoe) that it would not harm Baldr. This exception would be used against Baldr in the form of an arrow, guided by Loki the god of mischief, leading to Ragnarok.

Measuring 10 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches, this piece is great alone or in a group of 3, 5, or 7. Acrylic mediums on a hand shaped wooden panel with wraparound edges, Friday is one of a series of seven pieces in my new Ragnarok Series. Using a masking technique I have been working on for the past several years, Friday has a rich textured, taking on a sculptural form. Sealed with a glossy, archival coat of acrylic, this piece is idea for any decor.

Sunday

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:15:28 -0500

$90.00
Sunday is named for Sól, Norse goddess of the sun. Sól was the sister of the moon god Máni. Pursued by the wolf Sköll, she was pilot of the sun chariot, pulled by the horses, Arvak and Alsvid.

This struggle depicted the solar eclipse. According to Norse mythology, prior to the end of the world at Ragnarok, Sól gives birth to a daughter, but is subsequently devoured by the wolf.

Named Sunna, the daughter takes her mother’s role as the sun charioteer.

Measuring 10 inches square, 2 inches deep, this is a beautifully detailed, textured painting. Shaping the hand crafted wood panel with chisels, rasps, & sandpaper, this painting is a one-of-a-kind addition to any home or office.

Saturday

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:59:44 -0500

$90.00
Saturday is named for the Roman god Saturn, the only day of the Gregorian calendar not named for a Norse god.

For the sake of this series consider this alternative to Saturn.
What if Saturday were named for the Norse god Loki?

The Norse god of mischief, Loki is a central figure in Norse mythology.
Father of giant wolf Fenrir, a maniacal shape-shifter, Loki is symbolic of man’s transient character, as he develops from a prankster to a malicious figure plotting the death of Baldr, ushering in the end of the world.

Measuring 10 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches, this piece is great alone or in a group of 3, 5, or 7. Acrylic mediums on a hand shaped wooden panel, Saturday is one of a series of seven pieces in my new Ragnarok Series. Using a masking technique I have been working on for the past several years, Saturday has a subtly textured, taking on a sculptural form. Sealed with a glossy, archival coat of acrylic, this piece is idea for any decor.

Thursday

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:12:22 -0500

$90.00
Thursday is named for the Norse god Thor. Much of Norse mythology features this popular god of thunder. Thor was the son of Odin and both friend and adversary to Loki, god of mischief.

Thor was the favorite god of farmers who appealed to him for rain. As such, he became synonymous with agriculture.
In popular culture, Thor is best known for his hammer Mjolnir.

Measuring 10" x 10", Thursday is a handsome, warm acrylic painting on a hand-shaped wood panel. Solo, in a pair, or group of three or more, this unique piece will look beautiful in any home or office decor. Ships fast, ready to hang including artist's statement on back.

Baldr's Dog

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:07:09 -0500

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Dog tells the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves and branches. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Dog is the perfect gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk.

*Custom orders are available!
Got a picture of your pet?
I'll make a custom "Baldr's Bits" from a photo for only $45 + shipping and handling.
Send me a convo for details!

The Eight Of Swords Free Shipping

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:41:13 -0500

$500.00
A skeptical, yet reverent investigation into Tarot cards, The Arcana has been focused on the study of Archetypes of personality traits and motivators presented in the Tarot deck. Each card honing in on nuanced behavior, each piece is designed to embody the symbolism of a given card. While many versions of the Tarot deck exist, this collection of paintings is a scholastic endeavor in the study of mythology.

Measuring 16” x 48” x 2”, The Eight of Swords depicts a maiden in distress, bound by ropes, blindfolded, stuck in the mud, surrounded by a fence of swords. On closer inspection, the ropes are loose and the fence of swords is incomplete. Beyond her looms a castle, high on a rock, but within her reach. Determination stands between her and her escape.

The Eight of Swords was featured in the Arcana exhibition and comes with a fully illustrated artist statement on the back. Shipped in a cardboard box made from 100% recycled materials, this piece is an excellent fit for residential or corporate interiors.

Tuesday

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:26:56 -0500

$90.00
Very little is written about the Norse god of single combat known as Tyr who lends his name to Tuesday.

Tyr was the caretaker of the giant wolf Fenrir until the other gods began to fear his ferocious bite. In a plot to leash Fenrir, Tyr placed his hand in the angry wolf’s mouth to gain his trust. Discovering the deceitful trick, Fenrir severed Tyr’s hand with one bite.

Measuring 10 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches, this piece is great alone or in a group of 3 or more. Using a masking technique I have developed over several years, Tuesday is heavily textured, taking on a sculptural form. Sealed with a glossy, archival coat of acrylic, this piece is idea for a variety of environments.

The Five of Cups Free Shipping

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:47:29 -0400

$500.00
A figure stands mourning three spilled cups. Although two remain, he turns his back on the positive things around him. As overwhelming this time may seem, a bridge in the distance leads to new possibilities. The Five of Cups represents optimism in the face of difficult odds.

Measuring 48 inches by 16 inches by 2.5 inches, this piece is great alone or in a group of 3, 5, or 7. The Five of Cups is one of 78 pieces in my Arcana series exploring the symbolism of Tarot cards. Using a masking technique I have been working on for the past several years, The Five of Cups has a handsome texture, taking on a sculptural form. Sealed with a glossy, coat of acrylic, this piece is idea for a variety of environments.

Colors: blue, white, black
Hanger: plastic coated framer’s wire.

16" x 48" x 2.5”

Wednesday

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:55:07 -0400

$90.00
Wednesday is named for the Norse god Odin the Wanderer. An ambivalent figure, Odin was traditionally the god of war, poetry, and the father of gods.

Odin went to Yggdrasil (the World Tree) in pursuit of wisdom.
There, he hung, pierced through the side with his own spear, for nine days. When he awoke he discovered runes (alphabet blocks) on the ground all around him.

Odin’s great fear was that Fenrir the wolf would devour him at Ragnarok. In preparation of this cataclysmic event, Odin amasses a great army consisting of the the finest viking warriors, collected by the Valkyrie.

Here, Odin's perspective is depicted as he hung upside down from the great ash, peering through its great, leafy branches.

Measuring 10" square x 2" thick, Wednesday is a highly textured painting on a hand built wooden panel. Beveled, the panel floats off the wall, the paint wrapping around to the back, this piece is ready to hang on the wall without a frame. Finished with a high gloss surface, Wednesday is great alone or in a group of 3 or more.

Tuesday

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:57:25 -0400

Baldr's Fruit

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:41:55 -0400

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Fruit tell the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a pear tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves, branches, & fruit. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs. All the while, deer silently watched from beyond the treeline nibbling.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Fruit is the perfect gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk.

Baldr's Hare

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:38:21 -0400

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Hare tells the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves and branches. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs. The fox plots, intent on making a feast of opportunity. All the while, deer silently watched from beyond the treeline nibbling.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Hare is the perfect gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk.

*Custom orders are available!
Got a picture of your pet?
I'll make a custom "Baldr's Bits" from a photo for only $45 + shipping and handling.
Send me a convo for details!

Baldr's Fruit

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:38:12 -0400

$35.00
Small, but potent, Baldr’s Fruit tell the story of the Norse god Baldr the Beautiful. Having a prophetic dream of his own death, Baldr’s mother Frigg made every object on earth vow never to harm him. All objects made this vow except mistletoe, which she deemed too young and tender to make a binding vow.

When Loki the god of mischief heard of this, he made a magical arrow from this plant and gave it to Baldr's brother, the blind god Höðr, who inadvertently killed Baldr in a game of William Tell.

In this format I explore small, but potent subjects on a bite size scale. As a boy I would lay in the grass below a pear tree looking to the sky through the canopy of leaves, branches, & fruit. Squirrels darted above carrying out their daily lives unnoticed. Rabbits stealthily ravaged my father's garden, always mindful of the prowling farm cats and dogs. All the while, deer silently watched from beyond the treeline nibbling.

Measuring 5"x5"x2", Baldr's Fruit is the perfect gift size painting. Sealed with gloss medium, this painting is great to hang on the wall, stand on a shelf or desk. Baldr's Fruit is beautiful in any decor.

Saturday

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:22:05 -0400

Saturday Wild Flower collection

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:38:03 -0400

$330.00
Saturday –named for the Norse Laugardagr.

Laugardagr is known as washing day. Here, I am compelled to insert symbolic references to Loki, the trickster god who is a central figure in Norse mythology: Father of the giant wolf Fenrir.
Loki’s disposition is symbolic of man’s transient character, as he develops from a prankster to the malicious figure plotting the death of Baldr.

*Constructed between March and June of 2009, paintings from the Wild Flower collection include 10 & 24 inch square paintings celebrating Norse mythology & it's unique connection with the Gregorian calendar. Designed for special exhibition, these paintings are available at Wild Flower in St Louis, MO or direct to you from my studio, through Etsy.