About Lynn Branson
Lynn Branson makes her home in British Columbia on Canada's Pacific Northwest Coast. Lynn has a love for the wild edges of the natural worlds where the forces of nature produce the material for her work. Massive pieces of twisted driftwood, roots and burls, remnants of long-dead trees, now rest in the artist's studio providing her with creative inspiration.
At a young age Lynn loved the outdoors, wildlife and the ability to create something from nothing. Her imagination has continued, propelling her to the title of Interpretive World Champion at the World Carving Championships hosted annually by the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Ocean City, Maryland. In 2010, Lynn had the honour of becoming the only woman to have won a World title in the forty-seven year history of the show... and is now a four time world champion.
Lynn Branson is an artist for the Canadian Gift Bank. The Canadian Gift Bank purchases art to give as gifts by the Government of Canada to guests visiting from other countries.
Bronze editions of Lynn's carving "Awakening" were chosen to be awarded to recipients of the Comox Valley Record's Local Hero Award 2016/2017.
Lynn is described as "an interpretive sculptor of wood who develops forms and shapes that portray living creatures." But, because of her passion and love for wood, honouring the medium is paramount. The creative process comes from spending many hours alone in her studio, walking the shoreline, observing birds, hiking in remote locations, photographing Nature and having a loving family.
Rewarding Achievements
1994 - Spirit of the Land: Sacred Places in Native North America book dedication to Lynn and two fellow artists by Courtney Milne.
Courtney Milne was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was a freelance photographer since 1975, concentrating on landscape and nature. He had two master's degrees: in psychology, and in journalism and mass communication. Mr. Milne’s work was published in thirteen books including The Sacred Earth, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and more than 200 essays on the art of photography. His artistic vision was “to reveal life’s unfolding mystery -- not to try to solve it.” He celebrated the distinctive nature of the prairie in his earliest work, then spent decades photographing sacred places in more than 55 countries around the globe.
"Within the Grain of Time"
2009 - Lynn was asked to be a part of the Blakely Burl Tree Project. Click the link to visit the site, read the history of the Blakely Burl Tree Project and see the artwork created.
Lynn's artwork was greatly inspired by mentor Mark Lindquist, an American icon in woodturning. And there was no person better suited to advising on the burl tree discovered by the Rice family of Blakely, Georgia than Mark Lindquist. Mark’s history as a woodsman, artist and creative thinker meant that he was uniquely placed to understand its potential. He came and inspected the tree and confirmed that it was indeed a rare specimen.
As a result, pieces of the massive pecan tree burl were sent to various artists. Lynn's piece of the burl became "Within the Grain of Time."
World Carving Championship Titles
The Ward World Competition, is a three-day event, held annually, and is named for brothers Lem and Steve Ward of Crisfield, Maryland, whose highly collectable decoys are considered some of the finest of the Chesapeake Bay style. Since 1970 the Ward Foundation and Salisbury University have sponsored the International event in Ocean City, Maryland, welcoming artists from all over the Globe.
Lynn Branson won the following titles at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art Carving Championships:
BEST IN WORLD INTERPRETIVE: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017
Additional Awards - two Second Best in Show Interpretive Masters, two Third Best in Show Interpretive Worlds
Living Legend Award 2019
Comox Valley Artist/Sculptor, Lynn Branson has been awarded the Distinction of "Living Legend" by the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, Maryland. The title is presented annually to three nominees and recognizes their contributions to, and preservation of the dicipline of Wildfowl Art.
Ms Branson is the first, and only, woman in the 49 year history of the Ward Museum's World Championship Carving Competition, to be awarded First in World, an Award she has received four times. Only one other carver has won more First in World titles, in Interpretive Carving, in the competition's history. Lynn has won ten other awards in the World and Masters Divisions of the competition, including a Peoples Choice Award in 2019.
In addition to the Living Legend Award of Distinction, Lynn was presented with two additional Awards from the Office of the Governor of the State of Maryland, for her service and accomplishments in the field of Wildfowl Art. The Certicates of Congratulations and gratitude again recognized her contributions to the preservation of the traditional artform, and it's ongoing evolution in the field of fine arts.
The Awards Banquet took place on Friday, April 26th, in Ocean City, Maryland.
L
ynn is a signature member of Artists for Conservation. Lynn's carving "The Burl that Wanted to Be A Bittern" was accepted into their 2016/2017 tour. Two carvings of Lynn's were also showcased in Artists for Conservation's limited edition book. Published as a companion to Artists for Conservation's annual exhibit, this book features artworks by members of the AFC.
Lynn Branson is represented by Peninsula Gallery in Sidney, BC and Decoys and Wildlife in Frenchtown, New Jersey.
Lynn's works of art are in locations in North America and Asia.
Lynn continues to carve and is always on the lookout for that exceptional piece of wood. It's like a present, never knowing what's inside until it's unwrapped.
