THE FRANKFORT, IL COMMISSION The following photographs were taken over a course of 6 months. This was a commission project I was awarded in the spring of 2005. The 3,100 lb. granite boulder from Wisconsin glacial till was carved by yours truly over a period of several months.  It now lies situated at the center of a medicine wheel located on the park district front lawn in the city of Frankfort, Illinois.  In the spring of 2006 a dedication ceremony will be held at the location in honor of the contributors to the project.  I will keep you posted on the date and all are welcome!

My new friend (we got to know each other very well)

Cleaning and Preparation

These next three shots are the gradual creation of the eagle. I chose an image found at the Jeffer's Petroglyph Site of Minnesota to represent the East direction.

The next four shots are of a bear image I chose from the foothills of Montana.  Of all the different types of stone I have worked, granite being hardest, I find that granite "flows" the best because of its grain consistency.  In other words, it's all hard!  Bear represents the West.

The White Buffalo of the North image was chosen from the French caves.  I selected this location to remind us how great naturalistic art can be even dating back over 30,000 years!

The coyote of the South was chosen from a location in the Baja, Mexico known for its elaborate shamanistic red and black pictographs.

Delivery, unloading, and the careful placement of the boulder.

The West

The North

The East

The South

The view from the street.

The project coordinators and some of its contributors.

Jeff Sebert (Sebert Landscaping)-project contributor. Judy Herder (Frankfort Preservation Foundation)-project coordinator. Alan W. Barbick - Artist

Kaibab National Forest, Northern Arizona Snake Gulch