The longer I looked at this little setting the larger the thing seemed to get: I could actually see the Chuck wagon, the cook and the growing line of hungry wranglers. Even the aroma of coffee and baking bread was starting to float through the air. All these things were brought to life because of just a couple of small details. Sometimes we tend to forget the importance of the small things. Well, to insure that I won't forget, I'm hanging this photo over my carving station to remind me of that lesson.
I was lucky enough to meet Randy and his family this weekend up at Woolaroc. I was surprised to learn that he's only been carving for a few months. Well, if this scene is the product of just a few months I'm starting to get a little worried. Clearly, this beginner is on the right path and he's got his foot on the accelerator. Just to be safe I told him to stay south of the Red River! Only kidding. I'm really looking forward to seeing his next project as I know it will be a good one.
Randy did a great job. I never would have thought to do a scene without a principal figure in it, but I see now the error of y ways. He is indeed going to be a great carver (well, he already is good, but he will be better). Again, I hate having missed the opportunity to go to Woolaroc, but at least I got to see your table at the Tulsa show last year (2012, but it is almost last year). Maybe someday as we go past headed to see family in Kentucky we can pop in for a visit, I surely would love a tour of the gallery. Happy new year to you and Judy and to all the blog followers everywhere.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Lynn, the process (or in this case the outstanding creation of a 1st class carving) is in the details. Are all the pieces carved, you think, i.e. biscuit pan, dutch oven, charcoals, cooking irons, etc.? Wonder if Randy wouldn't maybe expound such info on your site here if it's o.k. wioth you.
ReplyDeleteAnd geez.....thanx for saying he's only been carving for a few months......gonna consider tossing my carvings (again) after my attempts at whittlin' away for all these many years. Guess for some it all come natural. But heck, we all have fun and enjoy making them chips.
Lynn, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the kind words about this little scene. I can only say that everything I know about carving is from watching your videos and studying your carvings.
ReplyDeleteBob-T, I pretty much followed Lynn's tutorials for constructing this. The coffee pot, dutch oven and lid are carved wood. The stakes and handles are wire or metal, the coals are rocks and pebbles that were painted. This might not be the "purist" way of carving but I'm wholeheartedly with Lynn's belief of creating "outside of the box".
Thank you all for the praise. And thanks again to Lynn and Judy for your willingness to take the time and spread your knowledge. It was truely a great time at Woolaroc; the museum and grounds are beautiful. As far as coming north of the Red, a few of those 17 deg mornings would run us back to South Central Texas pretty quick :). Take care, Randy West
Thanx Randy for the info and also to you Lynn too for letting him respond on your blog. It truly is those details that set a carving apart from the norm. I'm learning that as I'm sure others of us are and appreiate when Lynn explains the how's and why's that makes his carvngs so unique.
ReplyDelete