Fireman – Part 1

 

I want to thank you for all the really neat ideas and suggestions for the next video series.  I think I’ve got one that you’ll approve of and that will make one of the niftiest carvings we’ve done yet.  We’re going to do a bust of a Fireman.

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My good friend Stan Hope up in South Dakota sent me a suggestion and a whole load of reference material on Fireman, both antique and modern.  This project will incorporate details from several different time periods.  I’ll use some details and equipment that might not exactly match up to the correct period but it will make a neat figure. 

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Here the link to the material Stan has allowed us to use: 

-https://picasaweb.google.com/dakotahope/LynnFFReferencePics# 

There is enough here that will allow you to use something different if you want.  It’s all good and we owe our thanks to Stan for putting it all together.

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So let’s get started!

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.

Lizzie Bear Foot - Finished

With the visitors and the turkey just a fond memory, I was finally able to set down and finish Lizzie.  I think she turned out pretty well.  Certainly like the new fur texture over the old.  One little trick I tried this time was to put a small drop or dollop of epoxy on the hanging beads with really bring them to life over just paint alone.  You can see it in the close ups.
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Still trying to come up with a new video project that will appeal to a wider audience maybe than just Cowboys & Indians.  Don't mind drifting off those subjects once in a while but don't like to stray too far.  Have gotten lots of requests for a Cowboy Santa but that subject has been way to overdone already.  Any suggestion?
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Anyway, hope you like the lady and there are more photos in the Gallery.

Lizzie Bear Foot

As I mentioned earlier, while in Dayton I hoped to set down with Jim Willis to get some instruction on creating fur.  Here's a short video I made while Jim did all the work.  Sorry about all the noise in the background but the show was a big one with lots of people.   Also,  take a moment to visit Jim's website to see some excellent work.  He’s one of the best!  Here's that link:  www.wildlife-woodcarver.com. 

The Dayton Artistry In Wood Show

Please don't go by the expression on my face about how I really feel about this award...the photo was taken while I was still recovering from the shock of receiving it!   What an honor.   You can bet that plaque will occupy the most prominent and highest place on my Gallery wall!  Wow!
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We had a great show this year as did most who attended.  According to the hosts attendance was close to 3000 the first day and while it was down on Sunday it was still pretty crowded in there.  I managed to win a few ribbons and sell a few carvings but that little piece of wood I'm holding over there made the whole trip worthwhile.

Lizzie Bear Foot

Here is one I wanted to get finished but not painted before the Dayton show  so I could hopefully pick up some tips on making realistic fur.  Jim Willis will be there and he is one of the best at carving animals and has agreed to help me out.  Really looking forward to it as I think I need to improve in that area.
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This piece is a little more realistic than my normal caricatures as I wanted to see what my normal carving techniques would look like when applied to that  type of figure.  I think she looks pretty good.  When finished she will have an Elks tooth decorated dress along with the beaded strips which haven't been burned yet.  She stands about 17 to 18 inches to the tip of her feather. Will also be quite a bit of painting and detail work on her so she should be a pretty striking figure.
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There are a few more photos in the Gallery and your comments are welcome as always.

A Cowboy Pony

Here is a pony I just wrapped up today.  After Dayton he's headed to Indiana to help herd any bovines in the area.  While I had a choice of the type of coloring to use I really like the coloring of a Buckskin so that's what he is.  Matt Dillon rode a Buckskin so he comes from a good lineage.
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Hope you like him and your comments are appreciated.  More photos in the Gallery.

Muy Caliente - Photos

Finally received the nameplate so here are some photos of the figure.  There is one change that I added after they were taken and that is a gold earring.  I made it out of some heavy aluminum electrical wire and painted it gold.  Then drilled a matching hole in his left lobe and inserted and glued it.

The photos are in the gallery and your comments are always appreciated.

Running Buffalo

I this one might have to wait till the Dayton show but I wrapped him up this morning so will take him along to the OKC show.  He turned out pretty good.  I had my doubts for a while as I had originally planned on him holding a buffalo skull instead of a drum but that idea didn't work out.  Maybe next time.   I did try something new with the drum as I actually made a minature drum with a leather drum head and beater!  I remembered back to when while in  Boy Scouts we made some neckerchief slides out of a piece of thin leather stretched over a section of aluminum pipe.  I took that idea a little farther and used wood instead of the metal.  Just cut the outside diameter and then cut through that to cut the center out and then glued it together.  I wet the leather and then stretched it over the frame and tied it.  Worked out pretty good.  Once it dried it because pretty taunt.
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Looking forward to the OKC show in hopes that there will be a wildlife carver there who can give me some tips on duplicating fur a little better than I did here.  While it looks okay I'm sure it could look better.
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Anyway, hope you like him and there are more photos in the Gallery.

Muy Caliente - Wrapping Him Up!

Well, believe it or not, after almost 10 hours of videos we’ve come to the end of this project.  It certainly has been a challenging one at times but always fun and I think we ended up with a pretty clever and unique character which is what we always want and strive for.  I hope you enjoyed the trip and possibly even picked up a tip or two.  I know I learned a few things.   I’ll put some photos in the Gallery once the nameplate shows up and as always, we appreciate your comments.
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Oh, I forgot one thing!  I have a right arm and a plate with chili, tamales and a couple of hot peppers left over.  So, as I don't have any plans on using them I'll give them free of charge to the first person to submit a comment on this post.  Maybe you can use them on your figure or use them as a guide.  Whatever, just drop me a comment and they're yours.