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My uncle left an unlikely legacy when he passed away a few years ago. He left his beloved wife Mabel with a large collection of very life-like carved wooden birds, birds that he saw in their native habitats of Ontario, Canada.
Murray Springthorpe always had very skilled hands. As a teenager he carved his own set of wooden cross-country skis, and as an adult worked as a mechanical engineer, first on ships, then at The Scarborough General Hospital. When Uncle Murray retired, his interest in shipping led him to begin carving ships. Each and every detail was captured with tiny perfection. Those ships are truly amazing works of art. He worked on several ships, but they took so long to complete, and were so large he found that they were difficult to display at home. However, Uncle Murray also had a love for nature. He grew up in the small, rural town of Victoria Harbor, which sits on the shores of Lake Huron and is surrounded by wooded areas and natural animal habitats. Soon Uncle Murray switched from carving ships to carving birds and some animals.
The birds were much smaller and easier to display, and each one had their own individual challenges. When showing you his most recent work, he would explain the differences in each wing, each feather and how he achieved such lifelike appearance. His inspiration came from living in Swan Lake, a development in Markham, Ontario with a beautiful, naturalized man-made lake – home to several swans and many ducks, and sometimes used as a landing pad for herons and other birds.
He would search out pictures of the birds he wanted to carve, and use the photos as a guide. To augment the birds, Uncle Murray would sometimes show the bird on a naked or flowering branch. Each flower and grain of branched wood was carved with as much realistic detail as the bird – as Uncle Murray was also a gardener who knew the delicacy of an apple blossom petal and could translate that into a piece of wood.
These beautiful carved birds are an unlikely legacy, because if you had just met my uncle, you would not really think his massively powerful hands could carve such delicate and exquisite detail. You see, Uncle Murray was 6’ 6” – and as big and muscular as he was tall. He cut an imposing figure, but had a mind that was equally as sharp and imposing. Spending time with activities that were precise and calculated where expected of such a man, but combining those interests with an artistic eye and such fine-fingered talent was not.
My aunt is now surrounded by memories of my Uncle, and in the cold winter days of Southern Ontario is reminded of fairer weather. The cherry blossoms and returning robins, warmed waters and Great White Heron my Uncle brought to life are displayed throughout their home, leaving lasting memories for those who loved him.
In Memory of Murray Springthorpe: 1921-2005
About Glynis Ward
Music, color and gardening - the three go hand in hand in my Electric Garden. I enjoy gardening organically for 12 months of the year in the South and am garden speaker and educator, retailer and occasionally work as designer. I write about rock'n roll, vintage fashion and of course, gardening.
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 17, 2008 at 9:47 AM:
Thanks so much for sharing! What a wonderfully talented man. The birds look like they are ready to move. Amazing. I love these type of articles. Thanks again.
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Subject: How wonderful!
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 17, 2008 at 9:39 AM:
What a wonderful and lasting legacy your uncle has left. and what a fitting tribute to him this article is. thank you for sharing it with us, Glynis.
~ jan
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 17, 2008 at 9:48 PM:
Beautiful article!!
He was a very talented man was your uncle.
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Posted by tabasco (from Cincinnati (Anderson, OH) on February 18, 2008 at 8:05 AM:
His birds are so beautiful. And I hope you will be able to do a story on his ships someday, too.
Thank you for sharing his wonderful talent in this story.
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Posted by Starzz (from Newcastle, ON) on February 18, 2008 at 8:35 AM:
I enjoyed this very much. Especially since I live in Ontario and recognize some of the places you mention.
The carvings are lovely..
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Posted by Bettypauze (from Victoria Harbour, ON) on February 18, 2008 at 2:39 PM:
Thank you for sharing his story..lovely carvings...
Now I live in Victoria Harbour, a few miles from Midland, though on Georgian Bay not Lake Huron..could it be the same???
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Posted by Bettypauze (from Victoria Harbour, ON) on February 18, 2008 at 3:07 PM:
Checked out the site more carefully..I enjoy each and every time I do my shopping passing this lovely structure..was once donated to Tay Township and given to the seniors for their group use..however, because of the participating numbers keeping up with heat/hydro and renovations was a little overwhelming to the group and they gave it back to the Municipality...it was sold and now I believe just purchased by a "Real Estate" agent for use as a sales office..have seen some renovations done last fall in keeping with it's history...
Will ask around town to see if I can get further information on your Uncle and his carvings!!
Again, wonderful article and loved the photo's of his carvings..
