Starling: Hand-Carved Marble Bowl Sculpture by Martin Cooney

COLLECTION SERIES MARBLE SCULPTURE

Carved by MARTIN COONEY

Starling / $2,700 / The Liberty Collection / Colorado Yule Marble

23 x 10.5 x 4.5″ / 26.6 lbs / SN250702

Currently Displayed at The Martin Cooney STONEWORKS

121 Liberty Street, Council Grove, Kansas 66846

Please email martincooneysculptor@gmail.com for purchase information

Starling

‘Starling’ arrived as the 8^th Liberty Collection carving via a deliberate attempt on my part to split off from the Liberty Slab a suitably long, slender slice of Colorado Yule Marble that would accommodate my idea for a bowl that would bring a little balance to a collection that now comprises several tall and relatively substantial sculptures. And so, I set about addressing that imbalance with a Hand Carved Marble Bowl that was decidedly understated, modest and deftly practical to own. I wanted to introduce a carving that would lay low and add a decidedly nifty presence to the Liberty Collection’s new and emerging repertoire.

Please click on a picture to enlarge.

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At the outset of ‘Starling’s carving process, even before a tool had been laid upon the beautiful white block of marble, I had already noticed a distinct avian shape to it that suggested to me that this would serve as a wonderful addition to my bird-like Collection Series creations along the line of ‘Sparrow’, ‘Robin’ and ‘Birdseye’.

'Sparrow' Bowl, Collection Series Marble Sculpture by Martin Cooney.

Robin, The Maiden Collection, Colorado Yule Marble Sculpture at martincooney.com

'Birdseye' Bowl, Collection Series Marble Sculpture by Martin Cooney.

Sparrow, Robin, Birdseye.

And so, even though my initial inspiration for this creation stemmed from one of my favorite bowls of all time: ‘San Rocchino Pool’, I opted to eek out the beak, tail feathers and lively stance of a hungry Starling attentively exploring and probing the ground for her next tasty grub, work or discarded treat.

A hand-carved marble bowl sculpture titled 'Starling' by Martin Cooney, showcasing a sleek design with gentle curves, resting on a black background.

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As is the way with these things, once the name landed, it stuck. And there I could see it – head down, wings tucked, stalking the grass in search of a meal. You may not see it, perhaps no one can! But I did and still do. And that’s why ‘Starling’ looks the way it does. Maybe, now that I have mentioned it, you can now see it too. But if not, it doesn’t matter, because this bowl … this sculpture, was carved to grace a window, table or plinth and beguile onlookers with its sleek outline, beautiful curves and intriguing presence, regardless of its name, its purpose – bowl and/or sculpture. And it’s mere 26.6 lbs., makes it easy and convenient to move around as often as you like.

Finally, a shout out to the common or garden birds that make virtually any spare moment an unexpected joy. Unexpected because you never know what sort of bird will hop, waddle or walk onto the scene and cheerfully brighten up your day. Personally, I am enthralled by the more populous birds that seem to appear from nowhere wherever you go – however remote or crowded the location; there they are optimistically searching, searching and searching for any scrap, bug or seed they can find. So, here’s to the ‘ordinary’ birds, the stalwarts, the also rans of the aviary world, like Starlings, for instance. Where would we be without these bold, intelligent little rascals? Much for the worse, I fear. They would be sorely missed, that’s for sure.

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