This series of photographs presents a brief visual tutorial on the opening phase of carving a Cowpoke which can be applied to any Cowpoke.
21
Feb
DOODLE DOODS
Doodle Doods came into being as a byproduct of demonstration carvings done by the instructor in many classes over the years. The demonstration was part of a lesson on teaching the planes and angles of a male face as they fit into the Rule of Three of Facial proportions. The photo below shows the progression from a block of wood to a carved face.
16
Feb
HAROLD ENLOW Rough Out
Harold Enlow is perhaps the one name that is synonymous with caricature carving as a carver, author and instructor. His knowledge of carving is only surpassed by his quick wit and down to earth out going personality. For over fifteen years I have possessed one of his rough outs of a hillbilly couple. Well, here it is 2021 and I finally got around to carving and painting this rough out. There is little to be said about this carving that can be added to what the carving says in its visual presentation. The photos allow the carving to speak for itself as a Harold Enlow design interpreted by the Wood Bee Carver. Thank you, Harold.
Remembering LARRY PIETY ~ 3/22/41 – 2/3/21
Larry Piety and I have been carving friends for over 25 years. He ended his life’s journey February 3, 2021 but continues to live on in the act of remembering. Memories remembered are almost as good as when the memory was first made and made even better in the gratitude of the one remembered. Remembering Larry is to acknowledge for those who knew him, that we are better persons for having known him. His love for his wife Jeannie and his family is the gift he has given to those he loved. His gift to students and education as a teacher, coach and administrator are lessons that inspired generations of those who knew him. The gift of his keen mind with questing interests, his conversational questions showed his sincere interest in other people’s stories, his good humor, quick wit and winsome smile drew us to his magnetic personality. His faith in God and helping hand service of loving neighbor shines a light on the path for us to follow. His creative gifts of working with wood and woodcarving exposed the beauty within his soul. And most especially those personal memories of his friendship of his kindred spirit will be with us as we remember all he means to us. The best that we can say about Larry is that we are better persons for having known him. “Thank you, Larry.”
Don Worley has developed a unique style of carving the human face in the caricature motif that not only brings a smile but also an appreciative admiration of his artistic interpretation. Several years ago, he introduced the “No-See-Um” faces carved with eyes covered with a hat or hair. This was followed by his “Biker Dudes” with eyes carved to add character to the Dudes. Then he expanded his repertoire with his “Bunkhouse Dudes” of Western cowboy faces.
26
Dec
PIRATE REVISITED
A pirate has been a frequent carving project in which each new pirate carving is an interpretation of a familiar theme. Most pirate carvings have repeating themes of an eye patch, hook, peg leg, sword, craggy face with scars, skull with cross bones insignia and clothes that are representative of a pirate. Sometimes a braided pig tail will be added and perhaps rings in the ears. All in all, a pirate is fun to carve because of all the features that add to the carving challenges. The pirate featured in this posting include most of these characteristics.
26
Dec
CHRISTMAS 2020
Santa sitting on a tag was carved from a three and half inch square by half inch thick basswood block. The original design was created by Glenn Stewart of Hawesville, KY about twenty years ago. May the best of what Christmas means be the gift we all share as we exit 2020 and enter 2021.
Five years after carving the first Pumpkin Doodle, the second one was carved in 2020. It was carved out of a six inch by two inch by inch and a half basswood block using knives in the Whittle-Carving style. Carving the first pumpkin doodle was an exercise in creativity. Carving the second, was of another phase of creativity that utilized a previously carved model. The creative tension was still there but not as intense since much of the design had already been discovered. The second approach was a little strained by not wanting to copy the original so that the second pumpkin doodle would have its own characteristics ever so slight. The basic form remained the same while each face took on a personality of its own.