WIP: Indian From Core Of Red Cedar (part 2 of 2)

WIP="Work in Progress"
A few weeks ago I began carving an Indian warrior inside a very nice piece of eastern red cedar where part one can be found here. I carried it around everywhere I went for several days and continued carving on it whenever I could.

As you can see from the picture to the right as it sits on the steps of my house this warrior is now finished. Standing 9" tall with a 2" diameter it isn't too overwhelming and will draw just the right amount of attention from its place on the showcase shelf where it will remain, unless... someone pulls out a hundred dollar bill. (Ha) Don't laugh too hard because that's exactly what happened about ten years ago when I finished a very similarly carved Indian in a piece of red cedar. I told the kind lady that it wasn't for sale because I really liked it and wanted to hang on to it. She then proceeded to pull out a one hundred dollar bill when I then told her that I could "learn" to live without it.

 The carving went very well as red cedar is mostly a pleasure to carve. I used my Flexcut Carvin' Jack the most but I resorted to my macro tools for some of the finer detailing and hard to reach areas.

When the Indian was finished I then decided to add a Thunderbird just above his head as seen in the pictures to the left. This was a simple and very shallow low-relief carving because I wanted only the creamy white "surface" wood to show. I then went on to burn in some outlining of the design then added some very watered down acrylic paints for a touch of color.

The final finish consisted of a light sanding then a couple coats of gloss polyurethane. Only the face of the Indian, the Thunderbird, and the very top of the wood received the high gloss. I only hand rubbed a dull polyurethane finish into the surrounding wood for a "complete" seal and a nice contrast.

This one's not for sale at any price!
Well.......maybe I'll think about it if some kind soul just happens to pull out a hundred dollar bill. :)

WIP: Indian From Core Of Red Cedar (part 1 of 2)

 WIP="Work in Progress"

Eastern red cedar has always been one of my favorite "found" woods for carving. Because of it's sharp contrast in colors between red and white, this is a very appealing wood for making everything from simple carved nameplates to making a jewelry chest. When I was a counselor the kids in my group valued its carving properties so much that they created their own monetary system using the wood as a valued trading item. Needless to say that we had to put a stop to that but it goes to show that eastern red cedar has always been a valued wood for carving.

I just recently re-found the piece of wood used for this project from where it had remained hidden for many years under a woodshop table. During a cleaning mission it was a great find so I decided that I'd put an Indian into it. Looking at the first pictures above you can see what a fantastic center of core red wood that this cedar had... just at the right proportion to white surface wood to make it ideal for an Indian warrior carving. This carving will only require a clear finish when completed because painting it would bring ruin.

For the most part I am very pleased with the results so far. With the Indian finished I then decided to add some supplemental surface carvings around the main carving and the Thunderbird is the first. I was careful not to go too deep because I will later lightly add some hints of color to this one and I only wanted the upper layer of white wood to show. Not sure what I'll do next but I'll let you know when I get there.

WIP: Nothing Like An "Ax In The Stump" (Part 2 of 2)

WIP="Work in Progress"

Continuing with the ax-in-the-stump carving project started here, you can see from the picture to the left how I first sawed out a series of "fins" on both sides of the ax head. I always like this part because it's fun to then flick them away with the blade of my jack knife.

Also notice that I purposely left as much wood intact on the underside of the blade for as long as I could during the carving of the ax. This would provide a much stronger foundation while carving and the disappointment of breaking it off the stump. When carving such fragile projects like this always think about ways to strengthen the wood while carving, whether it's leaving wood in weak areas like this until the last minute or even how you grip the wood while carving. The ax will be vulnerable for breaking from this point forward so keep that in mind as you carve and all will work out well.

In the picture to the right I continue roughing out the handle and head of the ax. Although you can't see it in the pictures, I also kept the "stump" part of the limb at least 6" long so that I could maintain a firm grip on the wood as I carved. The picture to the right appears to show my hand gripping only the tip of the stump but actually I've got a great grip on the long limb which I haven't yet trimmed. I'll do that when I've finished carving the ax. So many times I've had to correct my students who will start carving their project after cutting it out to the actual size. Always think about how you're going to grip the wood while carving, either with a table vise, your hands, or both during the planning phase. Carving should be a pleasure... not a struggle.

And here she is all carved, finished, and ready for a nice paint job. After carving I did so very lightly sand the ax with 220 grit sandpaper, but just a little because I wanted the carving to show.






Since I already have two red ax-in-the-stumps in my collection; one big and one small, I decided to paint this medium sized ax with blue acrylic paint. I painted a thin strip of metallic silver paint for the tip of the ax blade, then gave all the carved areas a couple coats of clear polyurethane. This is one of my funnest projects to carve and in addition to being a wonderful conversation piece it will also help you move to a new level in carving. Give it a try and have some fun!

WIP: Nothing Like An "Ax In The Stump" (Part 1 of 2)

WIP="Work in Progress"

This is one of those projects that has always amazed me, from the first time that I saw one and to the point when I knew that I had to try carving it  for myself. An ax in the stump is one of those carving projects that is sort of like a ball-in-the-cage... it's just interesting to admire, discuss, and most of all it's fun to carve.

On the other hand I'd also say that it isn't amazingly hard to carve, nor is it a simple project. I would class this one as "moderate" in skill level and also it can be cut out with a bandsaw or by hand using a coping saw. Be sure to read the cautions below if you choose to use the bandsaw.

Looking at the pictures to the left you can see that I've carved this project in several sizes, from the smallest one which was taken from a Jenga block which measures a mere 3" X 1" X 1/2" and that is very tiny. The larger one I carved from a basswood limb that had a 3" diameter. The wood used for my latest ax-in-the-stump (the blue ax) and the focus of this posting was a  seasoned piece of maple limb with a 2-1/4" diameter stump. This medium sized project or the larger one would be good choices for trying your hand at this interesting conversation piece.

As indicated in the picture to the right first you'll need to find a tree branch with an attached limb at about a 45 degree angle. Most limbs grow at this approximate angle so you shouldn't have much trouble finding one unless you live in Antarctica.

Since you're cutting round wood this will require adequate bandsaw experience as this type of cutting can create an unsafe situation. Bandsaws are made for cutting wood that has a firm squared grip on the cutting table so when cutting something "round" you greatly increase the potential for bending an expensive blade AND increasing the chance for bodily injury. Exercise extreme caution when cutting round wood with a bandsaw and don't do it if you have any reservation about your ability to control the cut. A safe and effective alternative would be to clamp your limb down securely then cut it out by hand using a coping saw.

After prepping the limb I then use a straight edge to sketch out the handle of the ax, as seen in the picture directly above.

I then proceed to sketch out the entire ax with the handle extending outward with the limb of the tree and the ax head in the body of the branch. Next I then begin cutting out the shape of the ax while keeping in mind that the head of ax needs to end up near the center of the stump.

I will conclude the carving of my ax-in-the-stump with a final posting as soon as I can grab a few minutes to do so. Thanks for taking a look at a project which is fun, moderate in skill level, and a nice challenge if you're looking for something that will generate a lot of inquisitive conversation.

WIP: Carving Totem Sticks Re-Visited (part 3 of 3)

OK, it's time to finish up the totem so that I can play catch-up with more recent projects. As you can see from the picture to the left the totem is finished and personally, I'm quite pleased with the final look.

Without any doubt, with my last couple of totems, I have seen my style in finishing them change. The additional accent made with the woodburning pen is something that I'm sure will be part of all future totem carvings. That highlighting really pumps out the "Wow" look in my opinion and I'm going to stick with it on totems while looking at other ways to mix it in with my other carvings.

To the right is a close up of the Thunderbird figure on top of the pole.

Here's a close up of the duck.

 And finally here's the bottom master builder figure.

Sorry that I still haven't come up with a good story for this totem but it wouldn't be hard. Perhaps I will just let the story find it instead. It now sits proudly on my shelf of totem poles as it anxiously awaits it's next neighbor.

WIP: Carving Totem Sticks Re-Visited (part 2 of 3)

It's been a little longer that I had anticipated to update with my latest progress on carving a new totem stick which I started a few postings back here. As you can see from the picture to the left all of the carving has been completed, the wings attached, and I also decided to accentuate the detail with my woodburning pen.

During the last year I have begun to contrast a lot of my carvings by woodburning the detail which I'm beginning to like very much. So much that I'm afraid that it might be altering my carving/finishing style as my carving methods and personal style continues to evolve.

To the right you can see my progress (prior to woodburning) on the middle "duck" character where all of the carving has been finished except for the two round eyes. I've used the duck on many of my totem poles over the last decade and it's one character that I really enjoyed developing.

Like anything in carving, when I want to come up with a new object in carving I just do my research in the field guides, then add my own style to its design until I come up with something that I like. Although I have come up with a general design, I must say that it comes out a little bit different with every carving whether in color, detail, or style. Back to the "evolving" thing I suppose.

To the left you see the bottom character which is a little bit mystical in that it's probably part human and part animal. Not exactly sure what the story is that I'm trying to translate at this point but this will most certainly add an interesting angle when it does hit me.

As usual I first sketched it off on the wood then began moving away the waste wood until I achieved the depth that felt good, the dimension that felt right, and the overall aesthetic complement that added to the overall completion of my vision.

Next I will present the completed pole in all its color.

WIP: Carving Totem Sticks Re-Visited (part 1 of 3)

WIP= "Work in progress"

I've been in the totem pole carving mood lately. 2010 has already brought on several totem carvings, all the way from a 16 foot pole down to a 2 foot table totem. As seen in the picture to the right I haven't tackled what I call a "stick" totem or perhaps a "limb" totem for about a year now.

These little totems are one of my favorites because it provides the golden example for making something from nothing. Yes, basswood is wonderful but still nothing thrills the depths of my carving psych more that to pick up a fallen limb after a wind storm then carve up something for posterity to examine. Rescuing it from the forest floor a certain tree limb, in this case a tulip poplar, would now have the opportunity not to rot back into the good earth, but perhaps become a wonderful admired object. Nothing thrills me more than found wood carving.

Although the first picture above shows the design that I first sketched on the stick of a Thunderbird on top, a duck in the middle, and a master builder on the bottom... the first step in prepping the stick is sawing it into four sides. As you can see in the picture to the left I flared the bottom of the stick outwards which will provide a built-in stand when completed.

I might add that you should exercise extreme caution when cutting any round object such as a found tree limb on the bandsaw. Doing so without proper support could result in not only a ruined piece of wood but the increased likelihood of severe bodily injury. Please exercise extreme caution when selecting a method for cutting a rounded tree limb because your safety is my ultimate concern.

As seen in the picture to the immediate right I also used a piece of the same limb to saw out a 5/16" thick 2" X 6" block that I will use for the Thunderbird wings. Notice that I have also notched out a tight fitting slot to fit the wings into later on when all of the pole carving is done. For right now it's a lot easier to carve without the wings attached. The measurements for the body of the totem stick is 9" tall and the "square" of the pole is 1-1/8" thick.

Looking at the picture to the left I started this totem at the top with the Thunderbird. This mythical bird of the Indians is one of my favorite to carve with it's tuft of feathers rustling in the wind above it's little head. I had some fun with this bird and curved back his beak on both sides in an arc that went most of the way to the rear side. I used my little palm u-gouge to pluck out the breast feathers then went on to make various decorative cuts over the entire body and I just let the "Great Spirit" guide me as I went. No patterns, no pictures... I just let my hands do the thinking. That's relaxation at it's best!

I'll post another update soon.

WIP: "Corn Cob Carter" - Another Scrap Stick Carving-Part 2-(Final)

WIP= "Work in Progress"

 Lately I've been involved with a lot of projects so my old friend "Corn Cob Carter" got put on the back burner for a while, but finally the old man has come to life and what an interesting character he is.

As seen in the picture to the left I just caught glimpse of him in an early spring patch of wild onions just at the base of his mountain. Just yesterday morning Carter was out from his hole-in-the-tree during a brief warm moment to catch a peek at the early spring  green. But unlike Punxsutawney Phil, Carter didn't return to his hole declaring another six weeks of winter but instead just gazed at the few green plants of spring with the hope that winter is finally gone.

This North Carolina winter was so long and hard that Carter actually ran out of his wonderful corn grain and had to compete with the squirrels and deer for wild acorns. He is now anxious to get his corn planted because that alone is what makes him strong, bold, and happy.

In the first posting of Carter you might recall that I had only sketched him out, then just briefly began the carving of his corn-cob head. Well, you might say that he has really "sprouted" into full-bloom since then and is now happily living in his tree hole.

As seen in the pictures to the right, after roughly beginning the corn-cob head I then went on to sketching on and carving his puffy little face. For some reason the big lips of Fat Lips Bill seemed to linger on with this carving.

After finishing up the face I then went on to burn in the kernels of corn into his cobby forehead. This is the part that I was looking forward to since I've never incorporated corn into any of my carving projects and using the woodburner is always a very fun way to compliment a carving.

The burning went well but I had to lightly sand it down just a bit with 220 grit since the initial burning is usually too strong and leaves behind  some rough hanging particles that don't help the carving at all.

I also liked the way that the husks "enclosed" the corn which almost gave good old Carter a sort-of bunny rabbit look. Also if you look at the pictures above before the burning I was also amazed at how similar these husks looked like a flower such as a tulip. This gave me the idea of perhaps experimenting with carving some sort of flowers as part of a future carving. It's amazing how one thing in carving a project can be the catalyst for another whole direction which certainly makes carving one of the greatest life adventures!

After burning I then went on to mix up my acrylic paints for adding the final color tones. All of my paints were watered down with water to one degree or another until I achieved the correct tone.

Although Carter thinks that he lives in a fine tree hole in the forest he actually sits proudly with his other scrap-stick friends on the shelf in my living room and that is where he should remain happy for the rest of his cheery life.

Carter was a lot of fun to dream up and then carve but I'm not sure just yet what whimsical character that I must carve next to be his new neighbor.

WIP: "Corn Cob Carter" - Another Scrap Stick Carving (Part 1)

WIP= "Work in Progress"

All that I can say is "Here I go again"! The porch is full with scrap pieces cut off from last years walking sticks that I just couldn't bring myself to throw away or burn in the pot belly so another folk-like character is currently in the process of coming to life. The wood I'm using is the same used in the previous carvings which is dried rhododendron.

For now I'm calling him Corn Cob Carter because I'm starting the carving with an ear of corn which I'm thinking will be part of his head. Carter will be a somewhat comical character but I'm not sure yet just what his story will be. As you might recall from my carving of Fat Lips Bill I've begun to come up with a short story and history of the characters that I'm carving. To me, the story gives them more personality, something to smile about, and perhaps if they ever make it to the Antique Road Show in a hundred years from now, then it will be worth 10 times more with a history than without one. Hey! You never know.

So far I've sketched out what I think that an ear of corn looks like and begun removing some of the waste wood. All of this I did with just a basic jack knife and a "V"-parting tool. Not too much to see just yet but the next posting should have a face shaping up. Not sure exactly how I'm going to go about it at this point but when the knife is in one hand and the wood in the other hand, somehow things start coming together. I just hope that my corn don't start looking like a sweet pea but if it does I'll just have to adjust his name to Sweet Pea Pete!

WIP: Scrap Stick Bill Is Now "Fat Lips Bill" (Part 3- Final)

 WIP= "Work in Progress"

Bill is now finally finished and what a fine old chap he is! After finishing and studying his face for a day, I've now decided that Bill has been given the behind-his-back name of "Fat Lips Bill" by the hard working crew that he manages at an auto mechanics business.

Bill is the boss and he's got a quick (and quite intelligent) come-back to just about any sarcastic remark that comes his way. He's mostly fair, loud, smart, funny, no-nonsense when it comes to getting the job done right, and everyone realizes that he's the best man for the job of boss. But like any workplace setting the undercurrent still exists among the workers because that's just what employees do.

Yes, Bill's lips are a bit large but as the boss that's an attribute to his advantage because when he's throwing out direction in a very loud mechanics garage a bull horn isn't necessary. People hear Bill immediately and right after a quirky jerk of the neck to face the direction of his vibrant voice, those workers literally jump onto the job at hand without a whimper. Joke as they might about his big fat lips, Bill takes good care of his people because production is always far over and above expectations. Bill is a good man at heart and he pays his people very good for their hard work.

I used watered down acrylic paints to finish Bill and the rhododendron wood always takes on the finish well. The cigar was also made from a dry rhododendron twig that I cut off the undergrowth of a healthy mountain bush just a few days ago and I set it into his mouth by first drilling a 3/8" deep hole then applied wood glue for a firm grip. Bill was a really fun project and he's earned a nice spot on the nik-nak shelf but I sure do wish that he'd brush his teeth!

WIP: Scrap Stick Bill (Part 2)

WIP= "Work in Progress"

Today I finally had a good opportunity to finish carving ole Bill and now all that I have left is the painting and finishing job. Just when I thought that I had exhaused every new idea something new always seems to pop up with each new carving and "Bill" was no exception. His hair is carved with it combed straight back over his head and I don't know why I've never thought of trying this before because it was amazingly simple... really easy!


From the top of the forehead I just carved in a "wave" outward then straight back into the wood. I really like this look and know that it will now become a regular hair style with my face carving. Heck, maybe I'll just go ahead and carve Elvis himself since after all, I think that I did see him running in the woods last week. :) I also decided to put a cigar in his mouth so he's looking like a classic blue collar guy to me. I should have him finished soon.

WIP: Scrap Stick Bill (Part 1)

WIP= "Work in Progress"

With more snow in the forecast for tomorrow and this being the coldest, snowiest winter in many years I'm a little bit surprised that the carving bug is continuing to bite me. But that's just how it is right now so I'm not going to fight it... just give in and milk it for what it's worth... or until the carving doldrums set in, but hopefully not.

After the little face in my last posting I've decided to continue carving in the small face category and I'm using the larger end of the same rhododendron stick that I used in the last carving. That particular stick was well cured and a left over from last falls auction, a walking stick. That means that I cut it over a year ago and there was no precious moisture left in it's veins so carving it is a bit on the tough side. If you're new to carving then I'd strongly reccomend sticking with basswood if you want cured wood but I've been at it for many years and my hand/finger muscles are well developed for this task.

From the pictures you can see the progress that I made Sunday and I didn't get a chance to work on him today. As usual, I started out my face by roughing out the nose and eye-wells first. From there I could then decide on how puffy the cheeks would be. With a full-toothed smile I suppose that I'll have to try and get the cheeks a bit more rounded than usual but I'll just have to see what I can do with this thin 1-1/2" diameter stick.

After seeing those teeth come to life it immediately hit me that he would from this point forward be know as "Scrap Stick Bill". Naming my carvings makes it a little bit personal and seems to make me try a little harder. You know how that goes when it comes to naming your newest dog... there's just no turning back because a name makes him "family" from that point forward. Some say that I'm somewhat demented when it comes to things like this but the way I see it I first have to adopt something before I will treat it with the respect that it deserves.

...And hopefully "Scrap Stick Bill" will soon sit proudly beside his other stick friends where he will bring a new smile to all those who kick up the dust around his parts.