Today’s amazing beautiful thing was sent to me by Alison & Don of Adventures in Wonderland.

These are the marvelous driftwood carvings by Debra Bernier and her studio, Shaping Spirit. The artist takes as her inspiration the glorious nature that surrounds her in her home on Vancouver Island. Many of her carvings represent Mother Nature-like figures, signifying Bernier’s love for the planet.

Bernier’s sculptures have a magical, natural look, as if they were found rather than created. Her young, fertile-looking figures are lovely, but I’m completely gobsmacked by her depictions of indigenous people. Those faces are so realistic and moving!

“Shaping Spirit started on beautiful Vancouver Island, Canada, surrounded by the wild and gentle inspiration of nature. Each piece of driftwood is a work of art already, created through the hands of Mother Nature. The earth, the ocean, even the moon and its effects on the tides, play a part in the unique shaping of driftwood. Debra considers herself a co-creator and story teller, revealing the hidden past and spirit of the wood. Her art speaks of the unity of humans and nature. Debra hopes that ‘Shaping Spirit Sculptures’ will inspire others to wonder about the big stories, hidden in the little things.”

– About Shaping Spirit

You can follow Debra Bernier in her Shaping Spirit Etsy shop and on Instagram and Facebook.

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"The ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of time." -H. P. Lovecraft Magical creatures swim in the ocean, like this stunning mermaid created with real coral, starfish and driftwood. Dusted with gold and sprinkled with a touch of sparkle. shapingspirit.etsy.com #goddess #ocean #driftwood #coral #art #sculpture #mermaid #shapingspirit

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Feb 7, 2019 at 1:46pm PST

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"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." ― Martin Buber 'Eyes Have The Power To Speak' was created with strong, smooth driftwood and adorned with feathers and a moon-snail shell. #animals #fox #totem #guides #driftwood #sculpture #shapingspirit #debrabernier

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Mar 6, 2019 at 11:29am PST

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I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone. -Rainer Maria Rilke She is available in my shop: shapingspirit.etsy.com #driftwood #sculpture #woman #goddess #mothernature #healing #vancouverisland #debrabernier

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Apr 17, 2019 at 10:16am PDT

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This one was created with a natural bowl from the monkey pot tree! “Bears keep me humble. They help me to keep the world in perspective and to understand where I fit on the spectrum of life. We need to preserve the wilderness and its monarchs for ourselves, and for the dreams of children. We should fight for these things as if our life depended upon it, because it does.” – Wayne Lynch Sculptures available on my Etsy page, www.shapingspirit.etsy.com. Keep up to date on my new sculptures on my Facebook, where I post weekly: https://www.facebook.com/ShapingSpirit.

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Aug 25, 2020 at 2:48pm PDT

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"I do believe in an everyday sort of magic — the inexplicable connectedness we sometimes experience with places, people, works of art and the like; the eerie appropriateness of moments of synchronicity; the whispered voice, the hidden presence, when we think we're alone.” Charles de Lint #driftwoodart #shellart #goddessart #sculptureartist #driftwoodsculpture #debrabernier #shapingspirit #sculptures #instaart

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on May 8, 2018 at 9:27pm PDT

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"You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean." -Alan Watts More sculptures available on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/shapingspirit.

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Aug 21, 2020 at 2:14pm PDT

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This Owl Altar Bowl with quartz crystals is off to its new home today!

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Mar 3, 2020 at 12:45pm PST

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“There were once two sisters who were not afraid of the dark because the dark was full of the other’s voice across the room, because even when the night was thick and starless they walked home together, not afraid.” —Jandy Nelson . In honor of my sister who helps me navigate the waters of time, and to all sisters & girlfriends whose comforting voices we hear in our times of darkness. . This sculpture was created with a hollowed out burl. Once part of a great tree, it now lives on as artwork, perfect for an altar and to hold your treasures. Two women face each other. Once with watchful eyes open, the other, introspective with eyes closed. Adorned with feathers and brushed with gold along the brim to highlight the unity of the pair. . This sculpture is SOLD I update my Facebook page weekly with new sculptures, link in bio!

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Feb 25, 2020 at 12:18pm PST

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"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~Kahlil Gibran shapingspirit.etsy.com #driftwoodart #sculptures #growth #guidance #sculptureartist #nature #shapingspirit #debrabernier

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Jan 30, 2019 at 9:23am PST

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Nautilus Woman #shellsculpture #beachart #driftwoodart #goddessart #awesomearts #debrabernier #shapingspirit #instaart #nautilusart

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Dec 15, 2017 at 9:19pm PST

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SOLD . "If there is any wisdom running through my life now, in my walking on this earth, it came from listening in the Great Silence, to the stones, trees, space, the wild animals, to the pulse of all life as my heartbeat." Vijali Hamilton . This incredible sculpture honours the elder wise woman. Two large quartz crystal clusters adorn the bowl and have been permanently affixed. Approx 12 x 12 inches and created from a hollowed out tree burl, full of smooth color and contours.

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Jan 16, 2020 at 2:12pm PST

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NEW Limited Edition Sculpture! "Owl Goddess" I woke one night from a deep sleep, to the unearthly calls of an owl outside my window. In a dream-like state, I envisioned Owl Woman, a spiritual being: half woman, half owl. Her creation symbolizes our wondrous inner vision and ability to see through the darkness, to focus on what we need to thrive. An enchanting tool for meditation or as a ceremonial talking stick. Owl Goddess measures 10 inches tall. A powerful addition to your altar and to adorn the sacred space in your home! View Owl Goddess on Etsy, link in bio.

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Feb 4, 2020 at 3:15pm PST

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Maitake mushrooms are known in Japan as 'the dancing mushroom.' According to a Japanese legend, a group of Buddhist nuns and woodcutters met on a mountain trail, where they discovered a fruiting of maitake mushrooms emerging from the forest floor. Rejoicing at their discovery of this delicious mushroom, they danced to celebrate. -Paul Stamets ShapingSpirit.etsy.com #driftwood #instaart #mushroom #woman #butterflygardens #victoria #shapingspirit

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Apr 23, 2019 at 2:41pm PDT

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“In the depth a light will grow, A silver shine no shadows know, Like wings unfolding in the sky, That circle 'round a gleaming eye, Turning darkness all away, Even depths will know their day, For every shadow has its end, In light! Life will return again!” ~R. Fanney #angel #shapingspirit #debrabernier #driftwoodart #driftwoodsculpture #forestart #angelart #goddessart #instaart #angelartwork

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Oct 27, 2018 at 9:23pm PDT

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"Our fear and separation are great, but the truth of our connection is greater still." -Buddha #buddha #buddha #beachart #driftwoodart #driftwoodsculpture #debrabernier #shapingspirit

A post shared by @ shapingspirit on Feb 6, 2018 at 7:15pm PST