What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thomas Dambo’s Way of the Bird King is a public-art project of giant, story-driven trolls built largely from reclaimed materials. Six of the sculptures are in the Pacific Northwest: two in Seattle and one each on Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, in Issaquah and in Portland. They are separate destinations, not one walkable installation, and the artist’s map and local park authorities are the best sources for current directions and access.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What is the Way of the Bird King project?
Danish artist Thomas Dambo created Way of the Bird King as a blend of monumental sculpture, folklore and environmental storytelling. Dambo works with volunteers and adapts materials to each build; scrap wood and other reclaimed or recycled materials are central to the project, but every troll does not use an identical material mix.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Outdoor Gargoyle Statue】 Place this interesting sculpture in a planter, in the garden, in your home, in the corner of your house or on a tree branch for an unexpected and unique effect!
- 【Garden Gargoyles Outdoor Decor】When your friend comes to your garden, it will be the first one to welcome him! The specially designed gnome statue can add more fun to your garden.
- 【Gothic Garden Decor】This fake wooden house dwarf can be placed in your mini fairy tale garden. The garden dwarf statue will protect visitors from entering the house and create a lovely fairy tale.
- 【SIZE】 Handmade sculpture 4 different sizes for your choice. The stone statue ghost ornament is handmade with high quality resin, safe and durable, not easy to fade, can be placed indoors and outdoors for a long time.
- 【Best gift】This unique little troll sculpture is the best choice for home, indoor and outdoor, garden, and Halloween ,Christmas, decorations! If you want to choose gifts for your friends, please do not hesitate to choose this decorative sculpture! It is the perfect gift for any goblin collector and goblin lover.
The sculptures are meant to be discovered outdoors rather than viewed only in a gallery. Dambo has said that whimsy and getting people outside are part of the purpose: “I hope that they’ll just get a little whimsy in their life and they’ll be smiling.” He also connects time in nature with caring for it: “In order to be able to protect the natural world, we need to get people out into it.”
How many Northwest trolls are there?
The Northwest installation has six sculptures. Way of the Bird King is broader than that regional group: the artist’s project page lists ten sculptures in the United States, including works outside the Pacific Northwest. Counting the six Northwest figures as the whole project therefore gives the wrong impression.
Where are the six Northwest trolls?
| Troll | Location | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pia Peacekeeper | Bainbridge Island | One of the island installations in the regional story. |
| Bruun Idun | Lincoln Park, Seattle | A Seattle Parks site connected to Coast Salish and Scandinavian cultural heritage. |
| Jakob Two Trees | Issaquah | The Eastside installation; verify the current meeting point before traveling. |
| Frankie Feetsplinter | Ballard, Seattle | The second Seattle troll, located in the Ballard neighborhood. |
| Oscar the Bird King | Vashon Island | An island destination requiring its own travel planning. |
| Ole Bolle | Portland, Oregon | The southernmost work in the Northwest group. |
These spellings follow Dambo’s official project listing. That page also supplies a short poem for each character, which adds narrative context without turning the sculptures into a single linear trail.
Rank #2
- TROLLS GARDEN GNOME - This pondering ogre garden gnome statue will welcome guests to your home and garden as only a troll statue can
- SCANDINAVIAN GNOMES - True to tradition, our Scandinavian gnome statue with his long ears and huge nose makes a great gift for gnome collectors
- HIGH-QUALITY - Hand-cast using real crushed stone bonded with durable designer resin, our fairy garden gnomes are topped with UV resistant paint
- DESIGN TOSCANO GNOME - Exclusive to the Design Toscano brand, this cute nome statue makes a perfect gift for home, lawn or garden
- Our perfectly sized lawn gnomes figurines measure 9½"Wx7"Dx10½"H. 4 lbs.
Where are the Seattle trolls?
Bruun Idun at Lincoln Park
Bruun Idun stands in Seattle’s Lincoln Park. Seattle Parks describes the site as part of a project linking Coast Salish and Scandinavian cultural heritage. Muckleshoot artist John Halliday, also known as Coyote, made the troll’s flute—a specific collaboration credited to this sculpture, not a claim about every troll in the series.
Seattle Parks says a paved path reaches the sculpture but warns that the return climb up the steep hill can be strenuous for some visitors. Treat that 2023 description as useful context rather than a guarantee of present conditions; check the park before setting out.
Frankie Feetsplinter in Ballard
Frankie Feetsplinter is the other Seattle-area city installation, in Ballard. Because the project’s locations are separate public-art sites, visiting both Seattle trolls still requires travel between neighborhoods rather than one continuous woodland walk.
Rank #3
- AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Hand-crafted gargoyle statue with intricate details, expressive features, and a weathered gray finish for authentic medieval charm
- PERFECT SIZE: Measures 5.31 inches tall, 3.34 inches wide, and 2.95 inches deep - ideal for both indoor and outdoor decorative displays
- DURABLE MATERIAL: Constructed from high-quality resin material that withstands various weather conditions while maintaining its detailed appearance
- VERSATILE DECOR: Excellent architectural accent piece for gardens, patios, windowsills, shelves, or any space needing a touch of Gothic character
- THOUGHTFUL GIFT: Makes a unique and memorable decorative piece for garden enthusiasts, medieval art lovers, or anyone appreciating distinctive ornamental sculptures
Where is Jakob Two Trees?
Jakob Two Trees is in Issaquah, east of Seattle. Its listing identifies the city but does not replace live navigation or site information. Use Dambo’s Trollmap for the current location details and confirm parking, paths and any temporary restrictions with the relevant local authority.
What are the giant trolls made of?
Dambo and local volunteers build the figures from reclaimed and recycled materials, commonly including scrap wood. The exact combination varies by sculpture and by what can be recovered for a particular build. Reuse is therefore both a practical construction method and part of the work’s meaning.
In a 2023 GeekWire interview, Dambo said a troll uses approximately five tons of scrap wood. That is his estimate, not an independently audited measurement. He also estimated that 12 million tons of scrap wood are driven to U.S. landfills each year; that figure should likewise be attributed to Dambo rather than presented as a verified national waste statistic.
Rank #4
- UNIQUE FOREST TROLL DESIGN:This fantasy forest troll figurine features a detailed wizard hat and mystical staff, bringing a sense of magic to your garden gnome collection or indoor fantasy décor.
- HANDCRAFTED RESIN CONSTRUCTION:Made from durable high-quality resin, this handmade mythical creature statue is perfect for both indoor and outdoor decoration, resistant to fading and cracking over time.
- PERFECT SIZE FOR DISPLAY: Measuring 4.72 x 3.94 x 5.39 inches, this compact tree spirit sculpture fits easily on shelves, desktops, fairy gardens, or near potted plants as a whimsical accent.
- IDEAL GIFT FOR FANTASY LOVERS:A fun and thoughtful gift for fans of mythical creatures, druid-themed décor, or those who love forest guardian figurines and fantasy art.
- MULTI-PURPOSE DECOR ACCENT:This enchanting woodland troll statue is suitable for bookshelves, home offices, terrariums, or themed party decorations, adding a rustic, magical vibe anywhere it’s placed.
What message do the sculptures make about waste?
The trolls turn discarded material into something conspicuous, playful and communal. Their scale makes the question hard to miss: what is treated as rubbish, and what could be useful or meaningful instead? Dambo framed the challenge this way: “What else could we build out of our trash? Rather than building our landfills bigger and bigger and our nature reserves smaller and smaller?”
The environmental message is not separate from the fairytale presentation. Visitors encounter a character, a poem and a destination in nature, then have to consider the material and labor behind the object. That combination lets the project invite curiosity without reducing waste to a lecture.
How are the trolls built?
Volunteer participation is part of the project’s model. Dambo told GeekWire that builds take “Two weeks for each.” In context, that is his 2023 answer about this project, not a universal construction timetable: site preparation, permissions, material supply and volunteer availability can all change the schedule.
Best Value
- Distinctive Fantasy Design: Features a seated troll-like creature with a long nose, oversized ears, expressive facial details, and a curled resting pose.
- Resin Construction: Made of resin with a textured brown finish that creates a rustic, aged stone-like appearance.
- Compact Decorative Size: Measures 13 × 6 × 7 cm, making it suitable for small garden areas, shelves, tabletops, and planter displays.
- Versatile Placement: Can be displayed in a courtyard, patio, porch, flowerpot, entryway, office, bookshelf, or decorative cabinet.
- Single Figurine Pack: Includes one seated resin fantasy-creature figurine. Pots, fruit, plants, and other photographed props are not included.
Construction details also differ from one sculpture to another. A claim that every troll is made from the same wood, or that every build follows the same process, goes beyond what the project information establishes.
How do I find the Northwest Trolls?
- Start with the artist’s Trollmap. Use the official map and project listings to identify the intended site for the troll you want to see.
- Check the local authority. For a park installation, consult the relevant parks department or site manager for closures, construction, parking, transit and accessibility updates.
- Plan each destination separately. Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island involve island travel; Portland is outside the Seattle metro area; and the Seattle and Issaquah works are in different communities.
- Expect a short search rather than a guaranteed pin. Seattle Parks has noted that exact locations may not be fully spelled out because discovery is part of the experience. Follow posted rules and do not enter restricted areas.
What should visitors know before going?
- Conditions reported by Seattle Parks and GeekWire date from September 2023. Trails, access and surrounding land uses may have changed.
- Lincoln Park’s paved route still includes a potentially strenuous uphill return.
- Large outdoor sculptures can be vulnerable to weather, maintenance work and temporary site restrictions.
- Stay on designated paths, respect neighboring communities and leave reclaimed-material installations undisturbed.
Why the project matters as public art
Way of the Bird King works because several experiences happen at once: a large sculpture creates surprise, a character and poem supply a story, volunteers make the process social, and reclaimed materials carry an environmental argument. The result is art that asks people to travel, look closely and reconsider what “waste” can become—without losing its sense of play.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
