Running Horse

Another Indian bust with a shield.  You might think I would get tired of carving these but I don't.  I love to paint and come up with new ways to detail the figures.  This one was for a lady who liked Appolossas horses.   Once the figure was painted it looked kind of bland to me so I added some facial decoration and that did the trick.  There's a knife and beaded sheath partially hidden behind the shield.  A pretty little bust. 

Long Robe - Native American Bust With Shield - Finished

Well, it took a while but he's finally finished.....Just in time for the Tulsa Woodcarving Show.   I'm quite pleased with the way he turned out and hope you are too.  That shield really sets him off and shows how much an extra detail can add to a piece. 

Comments welcome. 

Spotted Elk - Finished

At last!   I've been working on this one since around August last year.  A number of problems I won't mention have really slowed down the output  down at the shop but hopefully things will get back to normal soon. There is still one BIG project we have on the calendar during February that will keep us occupied but I'll talk about that one in another post.

Spotted Elk turned out to be a really nice piece.  With the walnut base he stands just over "14 inches so he will certainly command his own space when displayed.  A friend sent me a photo of the war-shirt beading design which I'm always on the lookout for.  The only real difficulty in doing it was the thin stripe on each edge.  To do that I waited until the painting was sealed and then taped it off.  Worked out great.  The lance was made from a piece of carved dowel with a pounded metal point tired in place with a wrap.  I also wrapped heavy cord around the fur areas on the shaft and then covered that with texturing material.  I really like the result as it looks just like course fur when painted. The shield design is from a photo I took of one at the Prairie Edge store in Rapid City (http://prairieedge.com/) last summer.  The earrings are made from pounded aluminum flashing with a copper wire loop to hold them to the ear.

So, now it's on to the next project, and like I said, it's a BIG one.  As always, your comments are welcome and appreciated.  More photos in the Gallery.

Spotted Elk

Here's another that's been setting on the bench for quite a while.  Except for the completion of the lance and the addition of some feathers  he's complete.  Unfortunately, him and Quint seem to have developed an attachment and just can't bring themselves to migrate over to the paint area.  

This one also stands around 12" tall with the walnut base and as most of my Indians should be pretty colorful once painted.  I really like doing these busts, especially with the addition of the shields and other attachments.  The sky is the limit with how they can be painted and the result is always striking.  

Again, I look forward to your comments.

Wandering Bull - Part 3

He's finished!!  Thank the Lord!  I thought I'd never get this one off the work table.  But, I think he turned out pretty good.  Certainly a colorful one.  I repainted the eyebrows black to try and recapture the stern look on his face that was lost when I painted on the red facial decorations.  It didn't work completely but it worked a little so will have to leave it at that.

So, I hope you like it and will look forward to your comments.

Seasons Past - Finished

I put the final finish to this one early this morning.  I think he turned out really nice....one of my best efforts.  As I mentioned earlier, I duplicated the shield design from a photo I had in my reference files and captured it as well as I could.  Setting here looking at it I think I will add just a bit of dry-brushed white to the fur on the top of the shield to bring out the texturet more.  With the walnut base it stands just at 12" tall.  Someone is going to get a really nice carving.

There are more photos in the Gallery and I will look forward to your comments as I always do.  

Native American Shield

I used the reference photo to make the shield for my new piece. I think I captured it pretty good. Sure is fun to do these things which is why I enjoy this craft so much.  Should have the figure done tomorrow.

Seasons Past

Here's a new one I just finished up today.  I still have to add three feathers to the shield and then I can begin painting.  This should really be a colorful piece.  I used the same technique I have been using on braids to simulate fur on the top of the shield.  Will be interesting to see how it works out. He will also have earrings but I forgot to put them on for the photo.  With the walnut base it stands about 12" tall.

Hope you like him.  

Touch the Stars

I think this is another example of my best work.  Maybe that cataract operation paid off after all.  Whatever, I really like this one.  As I've mentioned before, I've been trying to be a little more realistic with some of my pieces.  The treatment of the eyes on this one accomplished that nicely.    I decided to keep the facial decoration to a minimum and the two white lines were just enough to give a fierce appearance while not obscuring the subjects features.

The shield design is partially from one I found while researching on the web but I modified it quite a bit from the original.  Instead of domed tacks, this time I use some very small brass bells.  Such things were actual trade items Native Americans sought for decoration.  

There are more photos in the Gallery and I will look forward to your comments as I always do.

Many Horses

After doing the head of this piece I had named it "Iron Jaw" for an obvious reason but as things progressed the shape of the head changed as did that jaw.  Finally, coming up with the design for the shield that name just didn't fit anymore so "Many Horses" seemed like an excellent choice.

With that shield and the hanging feathers this piece stands a little over "14 inches with the base.  Nice!  I've mentioned before that working in a larger scale not only gives you the chance to concentrate on details but it elevates your work to a higher level.  

As I seem to be moving toward the more realistic figure, one area needs to be addressed and that is the eyes.  On this figure I think they are a little large which is why I decided to do the facial painting as a solid black strip to reduce their appearance.  That pretty well corrected their size.  Yesterday afternoon I worked on a new head, reducing the size of the eyes and it really changed the whole appearance of the piece which was exactly what I was looking for. 

The beading design is my own and the feathers hanging from the shield are based on those of a Red Tailed Hawk.  The head feathers are large and out of scale but they balance the piece...the off-set shield pulls the eye one way but the feathers pull them back to the center.  The base is walnut and I'm trying a new routed edge to accommodate the name plate.  

There are more photos in the Gallery and I'll look forward to your comments.

The Plains Warrior

I put the final touches to this one just a few minutes ago and believe me when I say that I'm glad to see it move out of the shop.  Someone asked me just how long I've spent on him in carving and then in painting.  Who knows?  All I do know it was long enough.  Doing some of my carvings I reach the point of saturation to where I can no longer really enjoy the process as much as looking forward to the enjoyment of completion.  This is one of those.

There is one thing that I was going to do but at the moment thought better of it.  The leggins are kind of plain.  I could have ran beaded strips down each leg but I think that would have been just too much.  I also could have painted on black stripes on each leg to indicate counted coups but I think that too would be just too much.  Seeing it now I think I made the right decision.

I added some horse hair decorations to the ends of the bow and arrow cases and the tomahawk handle.  As they swing freely they add a little motion to a static figure.  I used low doamed brass tacks for the decoration on the belt and added a leather strap to the shield.  With the base the figure measures right at 21".  An impressive carving.

Wrapping things up I think this turned out to be an example of my best work and the collector who has spoken for it will have a really nice piece to add to his growing collection.  I know it will have a good home and lots of old friends.  Hopefully, they'll get along with each other.

Lots of photos in the Gallery and I'll look forward to your comments as I always do.

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.

Red Horse

Here's what I'm working on at the moment.  This one stands about 15" tall on the base so he'll be a real eye catcher when he's finished.  Still have to add the feathers to the shield and maybe a totem above the horse.  Hopefully, there will be scalp locks hanging from his shoulders as soon as we can track down some horse hair.  The dance stick will also have a lot more detail, i.e., feathers cloth or leather strips, etc.
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As I've mentioned before, I really love doing this type of carving as it's a challenge to see how much detail you can add.  Also, as they are so colorful and unique they sell immediately.  I've seen a lot of painted bronzes but they seem cold compared to these wooden fellas.
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Anyway, hope you like him so far.  As you can probably tell I've been alternating from Cowboy to Indian and back to Cowboy.  Going to have to break off of that track soon and do some horses and especially a Sheepherder.
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As always your comments are welcome and appreciated.

Wall Drug Cowboy Band

Here is something you might find interesting.  This little plaster group of figures was purchased by my parents back in 1949 while we were all on a trip up to the Black Hills.  I'll bet they were even made in the USA!......something that would be unheard of nowadays.   At the Dayton show I mentioned them to my good friend Don Mertz  as since I met Don quite a few years back every time I look at these four guys I think of his carvings.
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They stand about 6 inches tall.  I've included back and side views photos of them in the Gallery along with a close up of the faces.  Maybe you'd like to try your hand at making a set of your own.

The Dog Soldier

I spent most of Sunday and all this morning finishing this fella up.  All I can say is WOW!  He really turned out well and I'm sure will be one of the best examples of my efforts so far.
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I'm not really sure just how many feathers are in his headdress...at least 150.  I had originally placed about 130 and then noted a couple spaces hat could use some extras.  Of course everything was already glued in place and as those feathers are longer than the drill I had to make an extended drill to get into the narrow spaces.  I did this by using some brass brazing rod I had on hand.  I think it was about 1/16".  When inserting and anchoring them in place I was worried that regular carpenters glue would dry visible so I went to Lowes to get some of that dark carpenters glue.  Evidently they don't make it anymore but I did find a new transparent wood glue that, after running a little test found that it dried completely clear and  seemed just as strong as the other.  I just might permanently switch to that type for everything.
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One thing I think will be necessary for this piece is a display case.  I had hoped to find a glass globe that would work but they were either to short or too tall but I did find a Plexiglas cube that should work so will go with that.  Even with that I'll have to come up with some way to anchor it inside the cube to keep it from sliding should the cube get bumped.
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This has been a very satisfying project and one that should really be a hit in Dayton, at least I hope so.  There are more photos in the Gallery and as always, your comments are welcome and appreciated.

Cheyenne Dog Soldier - First Feathers In Place

I finished the shield and lance and have started with the feathers.  Could only due one roll before the guy started to frighten me so I'm taking a break!  I will say that this fella is really starting to look impressive.  Can't wait till all the feathers are in place and are painted black.  Wow!   Hope you like him so far cause I sure do.
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More photos in the Gallery.

A Couple of Carving Meeting Results.

Here are a couple heads I carved at our Tuesday carve-a-long.  As a rule, I don't normally work on a current project at these meetings as it's hard to concentrate and keep up with the conversations and joke telling.  I can, however, almost whip out a quick head study which will come in handy later on.  It also serves as a teaching aid for those wanting a little help.   I think the bottom one just might be "Cotton-eyed Joe", a character I've always wanted to do.  Not really sure where the top one is headed.  He's looking a little lost at the moment.

Cheyenne Dog Soldier - Just A Few More Details

Only have to flesh out the lance and shield and it will be time to start work on all those feathers.  Took me two days to paint this fella only to have most of it covered up by that necklace!  Oh well, I know it's all under there somewhere so that's whats important.
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The tip of the lance is pounded copper with gives it the appearance of a flint spear point.  I will add some feathers to the top and bottom areas and also do some feather and hair decoration on the shield.  Not really sure if that shield design is one a Dog Soldier would use but I like it and once the detail is added it ought to look real snazzy.
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So, after I finish my baloney sandwich it's back to the shop to pluck some feathers!    More photos in the gallery.

Cheyenne Dog Soldier - Almost Done

Spent the day finishing up the body, adding the braids and the claw necklace.  Also added the shield and lance and turned the base.    This is going to be one impressive carving even if I do say so myself.  I used a emery wheel to texture the fur on the necklace then burnt the edges where the wheel couldn't go.  Should be done with the carving tomorrow and then it's to the paint table.  Once it's painted and varnished the feather work will start.   There are a couple more photos in the Gallery.

Cheyenne Dog Soldier -Roughing It!

Spent a couple hours today making the lower body of this character and adding a few more details to his face.  The large collar will be a bear-claw necklace.  I've carved out one spot where a claw will go and you can see the pencil lines where the others will be.  I like to do it this way to get the open areas under the claws to be really clean and neat.  There are two beaded strips on his shirt along with the beaded neck piece.  I've been thinking of maybe trying some quill-work this time instead of the beading.  We'll see.  The next step will be adding the braids.  I want the figure to be complete and painted before the feathers show up as it will become quite unwieldy with all those sticking out everywhere.