The flourishing Bois-des-Esprits Forest in south Winnipeg, famed for its ethereal tree carvings has lost its master craftsman. The sad news of the passing of Murray Watson, a well-regarded local woodcarver, was confirmed on Tuesday evening by Ryan Palmquist of Save Our Seine.
Watson, the man responsible for many of the captivating carvings on the trees in the Bois-des-Esprits Forest, perceived the trees in an extraordinary manner. He saw them as blank canvases, concealing inner secrets and stories awaiting to be unlocked and depicted. With a lifelong passion for nature, animals, and a charming adeptness for working with his hands, he breathed life into these raw wooden canvases through his incredible carvings.
His journey with wood spirits began in 2009, when he started integrating his art into the very heart of nature. Drawing inspiration from artists who spawned “Woody the Tree Spirit”, Watson launched his woodland studio, creating intricate sculptures within the bark of the forest’s elder inhabitants.
Over the course of his career in the forest, he completed close to twenty distinctive carvings, turning the Bois-des-Esprits into a living museum, decorated with his masterpieces. Each sculpture, a testament to his love for nature and his exceptional craftsmanship.
Further details regarding Watson’s passing will be diligently followed up and conveyed in due course. His departure marks a loss for the artistic community and particularly, for the Bois-des-Esprits Forest, where his work will continue to inspire admiration amongst locals and visitors alike for generations to come.
