Here is a photo of one the first carvings I did. This was around the latter part of 2003. It is a cowboy boot that’s made of pine and stands about 6″ tall. I finished it with a dark stain, trying to give it that ‘scuffed old boot’ look’:
The boot was done at a carving course through Lee Valley. The instructor for the course has since become a good friend and we get together frequently for coffee and to ‘talk shop’. He often tells me that I’m only missing three things to create great works of art – practice, practice, practice…
Here is a carving of a man’s face, a wood spirit of sorts. I call this guy “The Pictonian” since he was created on a carving course in that area. He was carved out of a log of poplar. He was never really completed but I always liked the look as it is so I left it like this. The piece is about 18″ tall and 6″ in diameter. This was carved around 2004:
I have carved a half dozen or so other woodspirits since then though I have never been able to capture the determination that I felt that weekend of carving. Therefore, I have yet to recreate the ‘depth of spirit’ in the others. I wonder where you buy that ‘practice’ tool I keep hearing about…
This is a carving of a Sleeping Dunlin. A dunlin is a small shore bird. Yes, it’s head is facing backwards and yes, this is how it sleeps. This was carved out of a piece of pine and finished with tongue oil. It is 6″ long and stands 4″ tall:
This was a fun project that was completed while sitting around chatting with other carvers at a carving club (NSWCAA) meeting. Once the basic form was shaped it was just a matter of sanding it to give it that curved, sculptured look. I was quite pleased at how the grain pattern set off the flow and arc of the breast and wing.
I have a few other carvings around here and will post them over the next few days.
Back to the shop…