UNCLE JIMMY is a caricature of someone everyone knows, either as a family member or a character of our acquaintance. “Jimmy” is a nickname that is given to a short “crow bar”, to a “truck” or in some locales “Jimmy” refers to a “Stranger.” Often used in the phrase “jimmy a lock” a Jimmy is ingenious for getting into and out of tight places. A Jimmy may be short and stocky and is still as strong as a truck. A Jimmy may be a stranger but not for long because most a-fella called “Jimmy” is a fun loving and lovable character.
This carving of caricature Jimmy is carved out of a four and half inch tall by an inch and half square block of basswood. This particular block of basswood is not the best quality due to its dark streaks and flaws and yet like people there are no worthless pieces of wood. The key in both is to find their good qualities and make something of them. A stranger is a friend who has not yet been discovered and a scrappy piece of wood is a work of art yet to be created. So whether the “Jimmy” is a person or a wooden caricature discover the hidden treasure in each.
Caricature Jimmy was carved using a HELVIE Signature Series # 3-1 and a # 6-2 Mini. Jimmy was finished with the monochrome finish of artist oil paint Raw Sienna thinned with boiled linseed oil. The monochrome finish was chosen to show off the flaws in the wood that gives character to the caricature. Read the rest of this entry »
THIS-N-THAT is a collection of carvings done randomly and are showcased here as a photographic diary of a variety of carvings.
Ornaments were carved from drawings by Don Stephenson. The LOVE plaque was carved out of butternut and was a wedding gift to dear friends. The two scoop spoon was carved for Norb Hartman on his BIG birthday. Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER often says, “The more you carve the better you carve,” and in that vein suggests that once a carving project is completed there is great value in carving it again and again. The reason being that since each carving is a learning journey; each carving subject repeated will allow the carver’s creative sub conscious to improve on the previous carving. Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER often says, “The more you carve the better you carve,” and in that vein suggests that once a carving project is completed there is great value in carving it again and again. The reason being that since each carving is a learning journey; each carving subject repeated will allow the carver’s creative sub conscious to improve on the previous carving. Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER has long advocated that when a carver finished carving one subject, turn around and carve it again and again and again. Each time a subject is carved again the carver’s creative subconscious will guide in the carving with innovations in design and subtle differences. Every carving is a learning experience and the more one carves the better one carves in the repetitive process of practicing the art of carving. The four Hobbits pictured in this study illustrate the results of learning by repetition as well as each carving project is fun to do. Read the rest of this entry »
The carving of Pete Rose was done for Rich Smithson of Helvie Knives. It was carved from a two inch by three inch by seven inch block of basswood. Knives used for this carving were Helvie Knives from the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature series. Read the rest of this entry »
Gnome Wizard was carved out of an inch and half square by three inch tall block of basswood. The Gnome Wizard is carved with a twist of the body, with head tilted up and a flowing beard and mustache. Such a pose presents an interesting sense of motion while the viewer’s eyes travel the twists and turns of the flowing lines. Such a piece presents a challenge of skill by figuring out what wood needs to be removed to create such a sense of movement. This project also teaches the necessary benefit of carving to basic form before ever attempting to carve any details. Such a process allows creative imagination to help form the design during the carving process that gives a special kind of freedom of creativity. Read the rest of this entry »
Hobbit Blade Cover was carved for a charity fund raising project that Rich, Holli and Skylar Smithson (HELVIE KNIVES) are working on for next year. Read the rest of this entry »