Forty Niner Scene

Here's the first character to a scene I've been wanting to do for a number of years.  I carved the mule's body a little over 2 years ago but he evidently hid out in a cupboard until I rediscovered him earlier this week.  As the video section of this blog is temporarily on hold due to Judy assuming her new role as caretaker maybe I can get caught up on some of the old projects gathering dust in the shop.
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Naturally, this will portray the struggle between the miner and the mule with the mule getting the upper hand in the situation.  I already have the other figure sketched out so it should be a pretty interesting piece.  There are a number of photos in the Gallery and your comments are welcomed and appreciated.
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As for my Mom, she is doing much better.  Nothing broken but a small blood vessel.  Unfortunately, it caused a small brain hemorrage which we're watching pretty close.  We want to thank you for alll your kind thoughts and prayers.

Eureka!

Considering my stocks and other investments seem to have gone to hell I thought it might be a good time to grab my gold pan and hit the creek bottom once more to see if I can find my own bailout!
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Some of you might recall that in back 1997 I was fortunate enough to have a similar carving of a gold miner featured on the cover of Chip Chats. I did this one a few years later. While this fella is standing on the creekside instead of kneeling most of the other details are quite similar to the earlier piece, i.e., the pick, shovel, gold pan and mount. I did add a sidearm as the claimjumper problem has increased. The creekside is set in a hollowed out walnut base and surrounded by clear resin. As before I used some goldleaf to cover a small pebble which I secured between his fingers and then sprinkled some flakes of the goldleaf on the creek bottom and in his pan before I poured the resin. It gives a great effect to see those pieces sparked underneath the water.
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When using resin or clear epoxy to make a water effect it's always good to remember to do it in stages. In this instance I mounted everything in place first as once the resin is poured nothing can be moved. I added just enough to the bottom of the creek to allow me to position my rock and gravel detail so it would be locked in place. Once that was dry I added a little more in several steps to build it up to the level I was after. With the creek done I added a little gravel in the pan and then enough resin to drip over the edge into the creek below. As a last step to make the water rings from the dripping pan and the drop from the pan edge once the resin was completely cured I mixed up a little 5 minute epoxy and with a toothpick worked it into the rings and that drop. All this might sound a little involved but the effect is worth it and its also a lot of fun. Oh....almost forgot.....take an old brush and paint some resin up over his boots so they look like he was standing in the water.
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In the Gallery are a few other photos along with the cover of the Chip Chats issue. As always, comments are welcome and appreciated.