Carving A Native American Bust - Part 4

Carving a Native American Bust - Part 4 from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Carving A Native American Bust - Part 3

Carving a Native American Bust - Part 3 from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Carving a Native American Bust - Part 2

Carving a Native American Bust - Part 2 from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Carving a Native American Bust

It has been a while since we did a new video project so here's one that might fill the void for a while.  Hope you can follow along to see where we end up!
Carving a Native American Bust - Part 1 from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Red Hawk

I had hoped to complete this piece before heading off to the Charlotte, North Carolina Woodcarving show that's taking place this weekend but as the weather put an end to that it can make it's debut here.

I've done a few similar busts of Native Americans similar to this one but this time I tried a different style of base to elevate it to a higher level and make it a little more impressive......at least I think it does.  The base is walnut.  I had thought about attaching some scalp locks to the shoulders but after trying out a couple decided against it.  With all the decoration it already has that addition might have just be a little too much.  I really like the shield, a design I came across while researching war gear.  I modified it some to keep it from being a direct copy.  There are a lot of different colors in the shields painting but you have to look at it close to see them...blues, blacks, reds, yellows, all blended to make it interesting.  It's anchored to the base and the figure by metal studs. The tip of the spear is made from hammered copper and anchored in place with some flax material used for leather binding that looks just like rawhide.

So, I hope you like Red Hawk.  It's a nice piece that should move off the reservation fairly quick....at least I hope it does.

More photos in the Gallery and I look forward to your comments as always.

Buffalo Skulls

Over the past couple of days I've been working on a larger Buffalo skull to go along with the figure I'm doing.  While using reference photos from the net I finally gave into bringing over the skull I have mounted in the Gallery to work from.  Nothing beats the actual article as a go-by.  ("Go-by"....I hate that word.  Why can't we just say "reference"?  It sounds much more intelligent and professional! )  Anyway, to show the difference from using mostly photos as a reference over the actual article take a close look at the two skulls. .  Notice the placement of the horns and the curvature of the facial plates. Quite a difference.  I still have to make a correction after mounting the horns as while correct in themselves they are just to massive to match the skull.  That should be an easy fix.  Once this is done I should have a fairly correct copy to go along with the figure.  Even though the complete result might be a caricature, the details associated with the figure will make it that much more authentic. and carry the theme I'm trying to express.

So, if I could give anyone some advice it would be to stop and take a moment to find out as much about what you're trying to accomplish as you can.  For myself, I'm always on the lookout for more "reference" matter no matter where I am.  Today, almost all of us have the ability to whip out our cellphones and snap a photo. When in a museum the first question I ask is can I take photos.  If that's not allowed I have a small sketch pad handy to record something of interest.  Unfortunately, too many of us casually "go-by" so many things that could have a direct and positive affect on what we're trying to accomplish.   (There's that word again!  I hereby banish it from this blog!)