After a radial-arm saw blade is used, typically, it is thrown away. This saw blade (used by my father) was treated similarly, but it was reclaimed from the scrap pile by a visionary. Huang Wen Byrd, a recent immigrant to the United States, was presented with a challenge. After completing a few paintings on canvas, she was asked to paint on a new medium: a reclaimed twelve-inch saw blade.  

A friend (my grandfather) commissioned the project and provided the metal canvas. The original photo of Lake Waccamaw at sunset was taken by the patron. In this photo, the clouds reach across the sky and the waning sun stands still on the glassy, North Carolina water.

The reclaimed blade hangs next to several other antique items that are as beautiful as they are unique. An African spear, an English wind vane, and this painted, circular saw blade all share space along the same wall in a Robeson County home.

Even though the sun set on the usefulness of this blade to cut through wood it still brings the beauty of a sunset home to our hearts.

Claire Louise Witmore, Pembroke, a member or Lumbee River EMC