Surls was born and raised in Texas, and the nature and culture of that region have played a large role in his oeuvre. The artist’s father was a carpenter who taught both forestry and woodworking to his son. The artist has called himself a “being of the woods” who strongly connects with trees on a spiritual level. His process involves developing an idea first and then locating a suitable branch or wood scrap to carve, paint, and sometimes combine with other materials in his studio. The final works retain some texture, color, and shape of the original wood – visible in this sculpture in the twisting limbs, rough face, and legs that taper off into oarlike shapes. The contrasting tones of black paint and charred areas with natural wood are also very common in his art.