A tribute to a furniture artist's Grandfather
Within the many genres of an artistic expression lie the roots of history.The passion within ones heart for a special person, place or moment in time has been captured for many centuries with the stroke of a brush, the mark of a chisel, and the sound of a score. Books have been written, songs have been sung, and monuments have been erected.
Communicating one's passion is what art is all about. This is clearly evident in the furniture Brad Greenwood creates. His latest composition, titled, The Telegraph Rider, portrays one of the milestones of his grandfather's life as a telegraph horseman in the West. The story unfolds as one contemplates the details and overall beauty of the desk created with the finest woods and master craftsmanship.
Brad's grandfather, Augustus Rankin, was born in 1876 and raised on a farm in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. At the age of sixteen, he ventured on his own to the United States. He first found work as a circus hand, training horses and other animals. After a few years, Rankin took his love of horses and adventure to another level. He began working for the United States Telegraph in Montana as a rider who supplied the remote relay station men.He would ride for days on horseback carrying supplies and occasionally roping an antelope in the snow to provide the men with fresh meat. From here his journey led him to San Francisco to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. Amongst the bustle of the city streets he found a familiar and well-loved sight - horses! These horses were a part of the San Francisco Fire Department, and Rankin soon became their horse trainer. He became known as "Doc" and for years trained the city's horses while putting himself through medical school. He was, in a sense, the horse whisperer of his day. Horses responded well to him, and he seemed to have an innate ability to know them. He could look at a horse and without checking his teeth, he could accurately guess the horse's age.
Doc acquired his dream of becoming a doctor and surgeon and established his practice in San Francisco. It was here that he met his bride, Maude Minot.They happily raised their son and shared their lives together for approximately twenty years before his death in 1949.
Doctor Rankin was an adventurous man. His tenacity and love for life enabled him to succeed at his endeavors. Many of his attributes were passed on to his son, Kelly, who shared a close relationship with him. Unfortunately, Doc did not live to know his grandchildren, but they have had the opportunity to know him through the love and example of their dad. The passion that long ago stirred a young man's dream is still alive today. It is found in the man who is lucky enough to be his grandson.
Dimensions: 52"W x 32"D x 50"H
Materials: Heritage oak, English walnut, black walnut, elm, sycamore, madrone burl, eucalyptus, telegraph wire, iron, rawhide, antique insulator, copper
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