The idea for carving An Eagle who is carrying off a golfer began in 1978 as a future carving project.  Over the years the idea would come to the top of mental search  engine called “imagination” but was not ready to become reality.  An “Eagle” is a golfing term meaning “two under par” so to “shoot an eagle” for a golfer is a sign of having a good game.  This carving idea is turning a golfing term into a humorous interpretation or a caricature with an opposite meaning from reality.

This thirty year old carving idea was told to my good artist friend Don Stephenson who drew a cartoon image of my imagination carving project.  Using the cartoon drawing as a visual depiction of a mental picture the carving project began by drawing a rough sketch onto a six inch by six inch by four inch block of basswood.

Traditional carving tools were used to begin carving the basic form of the cartoon image as is depicted in the following photographs.

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During the “carving to form” stage of the process design changes are made as the cartoon and mental image meld together into the block of wood. Notice that the left hand is being carved in a reaching action towards the eagle.  Also the head of the golfer is turned trying to look up at the eagle while he is being dragged across the golf greens.  The angle of the golfer is more extreme than in the cartoon drawing to give a more dramatic presentation to the eagle pulling him forward while his feet and golf club are plowing up the greens.

These four photographs show a panoramic view of the form of the carving being refined.

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The carving is now completed and is mounted on a butternut base that was carved with free hand flowing lines.  Notice that the eagle is holding a golf ball in its beak  and the golfer is showing wide eyed fear and a scream of fright coming from his mouth.   The carving will be painted using artist oil paint mixed with boiled linseed oil using the “Painting Softly” method described elsewhere in this web log under that title.

A photographic journey of the painted  carving project for visual study  follows showing a panoramic view of the eagle and golfer.

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