An Early Checkin!

Don't ask me how I came up with this idea....it just happened! I had completed the head a year ago and it just sat on the workbench smiling at me to where I just couldn't take it anymore. Doing it as a Dude from the city showing up for his week at the Happy Landing Guest Ranch seemed a good way put him to use. The dog? Well... let's just not go there!
-
I tried something new with him that I'll probably use in the future now that I know how to do it and that's how to make really good looking glasses. I bent the glass frames from thin cooper and soldered in a nose piece and then attached the ear pieces. I then bent the ear pieces to match the head as doing it once the glasses were finished would be too risky. Putting down a piece of wax paper I mixed up some clear epoxy and while holding the frames level dropped in some of the mixture until the frames were full. Once the glue had gone off I pealed off the paper and then very carefully on my little disc sander sanded off the face of the frame so it was level. This left a frosted look to the plastic lenses which looks good I think. Once the frames were painted and placed on the head a little epoxy to hold them in place. I really like the look!!
-
Lots more photos on the gallery page.

Here is a carving of a Huron warrior that I did back in 2000. It's a fairly detailed piece. I especially like the Flintlock rifle. I made the firing mechnism out of metal wire, pounded flat and then bent to shape. The trigger guard was made the same way. The two little ties on his leggins are also metal. Everything else is wood.
-
Back then I was carving my eyes as only slits as I didn't think the pupils really showed much on the scale I was working. However, as this figure was much bigger, standing at about 22 inches it was clear to me after completing this piece that I couldn't get away with it on a larger sized figure. So, any new figures completed after this one all have their eyes completely visible. I think it was a good decision as it allows a lot more action in a figure by being able to have those eyeballs moving around.
-
Lots of photos after the jump.

Waiitng For A Good One

While this guy might look like he's missing his Harley he's really just leaning against the fence surveying the herd for a good ride for the day. He'll be holding his lasso in one hand and the horses's headstall and bit in the other.
-
This will make a nice little scene but it would have been better had I moved his elbows back over the fence rail farther. It would have made him much more relaxed. Next time!!

More photos after the jump to the Gallery.

Chief Bear Claw

Here's another quick one. I started this yesterday after lunch and wrapped up the carving and burning just before lunch today so I have about 6 hours total into it so far and that includes the base. Some of you ask.....so now you know how fast I work. Now, in no way does this reflect how much time I spend on every piece. This one just seemed to go together.

-
I'm trying something different here....a Bear Claw neckless. You'll note that the claws are missing! I'll add those once the piece is painted as I want the claws to be over the beaded strips but with the beads still clearly visible. I've attached a photo of the claws in a rough shape. Each will be carved and fitted into the cutouts once they're painted. Should be a neat effect and this ought to also be a very colorful piece.

-

I really enjoy doing Native Americans as there is so much color and possibilities for details. It's funny though, I'll do a bunch of them and then they'll just set on the Gallery shelf for months then BANG! they're all gone.

-

Okay...the painting is complete and I think the figure really turned out well. I spent about twice the time painting on this one as I did on carving it. But it was fun and the necklace really turned out just the way I thought it would.

Ol' Brushy Bill

Here is a little bust I did over the past couple of days. It was more an experiment in doing a head with a rather large mustache than anything else. We have a small woodcarvers group that meets once a week at the Grove Community Center and that's where I completed the head. Finished it up once I got home.
-
The eye glasses are made from wire...soldered and painted gold then inserted into holes. The neck medallion is made from wood but I used pounded wire for the leather tassels as I didn't want them to break off over time. I think this is a very important thing to remember for those of us that sell their work....Build as much strength into your pieces as you can so they'll stand up to handling, cleaning or any sort of abuse.
-
A friend made the comment that he looked like Teddy Roosevelt....hmmmmmm.....I'll have to remember that as I've always wanted to do a figure of him. The secret would be to get that toothy smile!
-
More photos in the Gallery!!

Sad End To A Bad Year

Now here is one sad Cowboy! You'd probably feel the same way if you received such a piece of paper in the mail. This piece was a lot of fun to do even though old Tex probably would have preferred being left in the chunk of wood he was born from.

-

I turned the milk can on the lathe and then whittled it to look carved. A few bullet holes and a couple of metal handles finished it up. The mailbox has all the required hardware...the flag and the metal door closure. Would have liked to have made the whole thing from tin so the front door could have been left open but just didn't have the time. Maybe in the future. The letter and the envelope were made from tin so they'd hold up over time.

-

There are lots of photos in the Gallery section.