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.

Two of the clowns are based upon a similar theme of a clown with his broom that was used in a circus routine of the clown trying to sweep up the spot light in the circus ring made famous by the clown Emmitt Kelly.  The pose is the same while the turn of the head is different as is the clothing outfit and color scheme.  The third clown with a sad face is displaying his sadness for having lost ice cream out of its cone.

Every carving project is an interpretation of a subject with accompanying theme that is a combination of imagination and skill of shaping wood into a stand-alone work of art. A repeat carving of the same subject becomes a second interpretation even though similarities may appear to be repeated.

Every carving project is a learning process of practicing to make progress in the carving experience. That is why it is helpful to carve a second and third of the original carving to enhance the learning process and sharpen the carving skills since we learn by doing and the more we do the more we learn.                       (click on photo to enlarge)

The photographic gallery begins with the finished presentation of the three clowns and then each one individually from a variety of positions.  A visual tour of the gallery can be enhanced by pausing with each view to imagine the intricacies of the carving process, the texture of the surface of the whittled facets as well as how the colors amplify the overall appearance. A second gallery will follow that will present each carving “in process” in various stages of development of movement of the “Shape Up” of the basic form and movement towards the carving of the final details. Once again, the viewer will imagine the process in this visual tour by allowing imagination to mentally carve along to complete the gaps within the process presented.

The in-process gallery begins with the first steps of Shaping Up the head covering and head to basic form. First step is to remove the corners of the square block to form a dowel shape and proceed by drawing a center line across the top to indicate the direction the head will be turned. Next is drawing a line for the brim of the hat and then shaping the top part of the brim and crown of the hat to an approximate size. Next comes removing wood under the brim of hat to shape the basic form of the head as going up into the hat and carving the approximate basic form of the head and face.

Once the basic form of the hat and head are established, then the body portion from shoulders to bottom of feet are divided into the Rule of Three for Body Proportions. Horizontal lines are drawn around the four sides of the block at the Shoulders, Waist and Mid Knees.  Within these horizontal lines are drawn body parts and outfits designs as cartoon guidelines for the Shape Up map of carving the basic form of the body. The four photos below visually present these guidelines.

The next series of photos will show the progressive development of the Shape Up process of each clown compared with the adjoining two clowns.

The sequence to follow begins with the clown with broom who is looking to his left, followed by the clown who lost his ice cream and then the third clown with a broom looking to his right.  The last two photos are of all three clowns carved to final detail awaiting to be painted.

One instructional saying by the Wood Bee Carver says, “One cut is not a cut to end all cuts, it is only a beginning cut for more cuts to follow,” indicating that carving is a process, often repetitive to progress towards an imagined image of creativity. An adaption of that saying states that “Completion of one carving project does not end the carving process as there are more projects yet to be carved.  If it can be imagined, it can be.” So, stop “clowning” around, “dream your next carving and carve your dreams.”