The cartoon character Papa Smurf was carved for Wayne Shinlever, a good wood carving friend from Knoxville, Tennessee.  Before he retired as Deputy Sheriff his nickname   “PAPA SMURF” was given to him.  This particular carving is wearing a star to indicate the Deputy Sheriff motif.  Papa Smurf stands four inches tall and is two inches wide.  The coloring is done with artist oil paint thinned with boiled linseed oil.

Wood carvers are some of the best folk one will ever meet and some very good friendships occur through woodcarving activities.  Perhaps it is because wood carvers share that special bond of creative energy that not only carves wood but carves a special place in the hearts of friends.  Such a friendship produces good humor and playful kidding along with the mutual encouragement in the art of carving friendships.  One such example of this kind of friendship was bestowed upon me as “an honor” long to be cherished in the form of a “relief sculpture” as only Norb Hartmann can do, which he has done for many people.

This “relief sculpture” is a depiction of how The WOOD BEE CARVER looks when he participates in wood carving shows with bib overalls, bow tie with tails and a black derby hat (an outfit worn since 1976 and somewhat of a trademark).  The likeness is uncanny but what makes it even more special is the labor of love and friendship that went into the carving and all the while Norb and his wife Mary Ellen were chucking at the fun they were producing. Read the rest of this entry »