How do artists use negative space to suggest movement in cedar animal sculptures?

Artists masterfully employ negative space in cedar animal sculptures to evoke a sense of movement and vitality. By strategically carving gaps and hollows around limbs, wings, or flowing manes, they create visual tension that implies motion. The untouched cedar between forms acts as an invisible force, guiding the viewer's eye along implied trajectories. This technique transforms static wood into dynamic representations of running wolves, soaring eagles, or galloping horses. The interplay of solid and empty spaces also enhances depth, allowing light to cast shadows that further animate the piece. Seasoned carvers often exaggerate negative space near action points—like outstretched paws or arched necks—to amplify the illusion of energy frozen mid-motion. This ancient approach bridges traditional woodworking with contemporary artistic expression, proving that what's absent can be as powerful as what's present in sculptural storytelling.