Sierra’s Basque sheepherders come to life in book
By Susan Skorupa, Reno Gazette-Journal
Phillip and Jean Moore Earl became captivated more than 40 years ago by an unique style of folk art found in the aspen groves of the Eastern Sierra.
After years of collecting the artwork cut into aspen trees by Basque sheepherders in the early 20th century, the couple has produced “Basque Aspen Art of the Sierra Nevada,” (Baobab Press, $32.95 paperback), which collects more than 100 images made by copying the raised pictures onto muslin cloth by rubbing with wax or crayon.
The Earls discovered Basque aspen art in 1969 at an exhibit at the University of Nevada, Reno featuring black and white tracings of images on aspen trees. They asked Frances Wallace and Hans Reiss, who had produced those tracings, where to find the trees with the pictures.
With directions in hand, the Earls set off for the Sierra aspen groves. They’ve spent the past 40 years exploring the sites and recording the art using black rubbing wax to put copies of the carvings on cloth. Over the years, they’ve collected more than 130 images.
