The carving subject called an Old Geezer has been carved several times and in this instant is serving as a “Creative Guide” in the carving journey.
Every carving project is always an interpretation of the subject being carved in partnership with the imagination and skill of carver working together in the carving process to create a carving that speaks for itself. Carving an Old Salt figure in multiple poses is to amplify the similar with the variations of posture poses so that each one is unique on their own and together in four interpretations there is a comparative variety of characteristics. The two variations are subtle facial features and the communication of the hands that individualizes each Old Salt.
15
Feb
TINKERING OTHER KNIVES
The Wood Bee Carver has always been “tinkering” since childhood play activity explored the activity of discovering to make things to fulfill curiosity of making things for play. Pocket knives were the tools of play through whittling and creative making whatever imagination guided to make into existence. Once in an old cross road’s country store the observation was made behind the counter of a wooden handled knife hanging on a nail that had been cobbled together using a pocket knife blade inserted into a wooden stick for a make shift knife of necessity. That idea made a home in the mind of this tinkering youth to use that idea someday. So, it was from childhood play came the tinkering with making “Other Knives” for carving purposes by salvaging usable blade material to be inserted into a wooden handle. Blades rescued from old broken or worn out pocket knives have found a new home in the “Other Knives” as well as other suitable metal material that could be utilized for a knife blade.
Every carving project begins within the imagination of the artist and is enhanced by doing research to bring the imagined project into focus with additional visual memory. The “Three Confederate Soldiers” carving project allowed for learning more about the subjects to enhance the project. The soldier wearing the yellow kepi cap depicts a Calvary officer. The gray kepi cap on the second soldier represents the infantry soldier. The Artillery soldier is wearing a red kepi cap. The colors of the kepi cap and trim of the uniforms distinguished their respective branch of service rather than a whimsy of personal choice.
11
Jan
CSA CALVARY OFFICER
The carving of a Confederate Calvary Officer explored a less common depiction of the common soldier of gray by emphasizing a little change of color in the uniform. Uniforms were more varied than uniform as would be commonly assumed. This carving represents the appearance of a dress uniform with a yellow kepi cap and a lighter gray almost white jacket with yellow trim. The Calvary soldier wore knee high boots, a holstered side arm and a saber.
A carving of any subject is always an interpretation within the creative imagination of the artist in wood. This carving of a Confederate Artillery Officer has been carved in the Whittle-Carving style of using only knives to carve a representation of a historic figure. The pose includes a cannon ram rod to suggest the artillery motif of the soldier and his outfit is suggestive of his uniform and equipment without being inclusive of the entire outfit. A basswood block measuring nine inches tall, three inches wide and two inches deep was used to create the carving.
From time to time there comes an inner creative urge to the Wood Bee Carver to tinker again with making Other Knives for personal use utilizing rescued pocket knife blades. The process includes reshaping the blades into experimental shapes to enhance the Whittle-Carving experience as well as shaping the handles. Here is the latest results of this modification urge.
23
Oct
3 CLOWNS
The three clowns of this carving project are a repeat performance of previously carved clowns of similar appearance. Each is carved from a six inch tall by an inch and half square block of basswood and finished with artist oil paint thinned with boiled linseed oil.