This piece was patterned after an antique hunting lodge located in the Swedish countryside.  Built in the 18th century by a Swedish Lumber baron to entertain his friends during hunting parties.  Unfortunately, only one party took place before it was abandoned.  Mostly constructed of wood, of course!  It was designed along the cruciform pattern.  Imagine this piece as one fourth of the structure, connected by a “cross”.  Yes, this place was huge!

Still standing but not inhabited, it’s now owned by the Swedish National Heritage. The cat is the ornithologist, enjoying the pictures of his favorite birds which grace the back wall of his lodge.  I found a book at Cole Library in Mt. Vernon, Iowa with hand drawn and colored images of birds. A treasure!  This book was published in the mid-1800’s.  An astonishing work, quite absorbing!  I reduced the bird pictures then cut them out in order to glue them onto the painting I made of the tree. I researched Swedish furniture and interiors to create the ornithologist’s decor. I sculpted the cat and sofa from clay.   Constructed the birdcage from brass wire. The clock was made with balsa wood and various bits and pieces.  Banjo clocks were all the rage at that time.  Mr. Cat is dressed in the fancy clothes worn by wealthy persons of the era.  The house is constructed from foam core, balsa wood and oven bake clay. This piece, while enormously time consuming, was just the very best fun! Measuring 36” tall, 17 1/2 wide and 17 1/2 “ deep it sits on a black plinth and is ingeniously illuminated from within with LED LIGHTS.  The cupola on top detaches for ease of moving.  Cupola lights up as well.