Aspen Spirit

   Welcome to Aspen Spirit, my name is Michael Shaft  from Bailey, Colorado.   This site is a showcase of my wood sculptures created from aspen, and pine.  It also spotlights some of my photography.   I hope you find the work to be functional, as well as eye appealing  

  Since a family vacation here in 1966, my goal was to live and thrive in the Colorado mountains.  I moved to the Denver suburbs in 1982 but  my quest  to live in the mountains took some time.  I found my wife Dale Ann who could tolerate me and  the mountain hardships, and in 2000 we loaded up our bags and moved to the hills, Bailey that is. 

  We quickly adapted to mountain living, and I became successful with the exterior wood finishing business.  Being seasonal  allowed me 3 months off a year, and off season's teach you quickly  that hobbies are needed.  With my experience in wood finishing, and my new  found ability to walk in the woods with open eyes to the treasures that abound, my hobby began.   My hobby became a passion, my garage became my shop, and  in 2004, with encouragement from artist friends,  Aspen Spirit was born.  I am self-taught, and God taught in seeing the beauty in a piece of wood that appears to be in decay. 

  I have been heavily influenced by all the rustic artists before me who most likely did not have an impact driver or a dremmel.  You could say my style is rather simple where as the tree, and limb shapes, are the soul of each piece.  I do very little carving or boring to fit my wood sculpture together.  Thanks to nature my specimens are already shaped, and de-barked, so my clever eye only has to trim, polish, assemble, and most importantly, balance.   My experience with hunting wood has taught me to choose, and only use the the sturdiest standing dead specimens, allowing me to create a piece of art that will stand the test of time.   I harvest my wood from our property in Bailey, and South Park, at elevations above 9000'.  (see pics on photo page)

  I have many designs , and can accommodate different sizes for custom decor needs.  I also  offer staging for restaurants, pubs, and wine bars.   My pieces are freestanding, and or wall hangings.  Mounting hardware and instructions included. 

 My thanks to the following for inspiration and direction; God, and his forest's, friends, and artist's.

Additional heartfelt thanks goes out to our armed services that allow  me the freedoms I enjoy in this great Country.