Bookmarks carved using tongue depressors is another way to fulfill the Old Carver’s Law: “Leave no wood un-carved.” Since the tongue depressors are made from an unknown wood that in some cases has twisted grain and is prone to break caution is used while carving. The thin depressor is clamped to a paint paddle to support while carving. When finished the carved depressor is glued to another depressor for added strength to withstand breakage. The bookmarks pictured are using a tree theme while any other theme including lettering can be carved using a depressor. Where there is piercing, or an opening in the carved design, the background in the back up depressor after the gluing can be textured with a series of indentations using an awl or ice pick as was the case with these tree bookmarks. Read the rest of this entry »
The photos below are ornaments carved by the WOOD BEE CARVER to be included with one hundred carved ornaments on the Ornament Tree during the Dayton Artistry in Wood Show at the Roberts Centre, Wilmington, OH ~ October 14 and 15 as one of the raffle prizes.
The WOOD BEE CARVER was one of the instructors at the Ohio Buckeye Round Up at Poor Farmer’s Camp Ground, Fletcher, OH July 19–22. The first four photos below are of a Round Up Friendship Cane segment carved by Mertz. The second group of four photos are a carving done by Mertz during the Round Up and given to David Neff of Philippi, WV who donated mahogany wood to any carver present who wanted to try carving this specialty wood. (Thank you David.) Read the rest of this entry »
Presenting a photographic review of recent carvings in preparation of upcoming carving shows. Each of the carvings pictured in this review are six-inch-tall figures of subjects that are signature carvings typical of the WOOD BEE CARVER’s style of carving. Read the rest of this entry »
CLIFFORD J. REEDER 6/26/21 ~ 6/26/17
Cliff Reeder was a good carving friend to many woodcarvers in the Cincinnati, Ohio area being a long-time member of the Cincinnati Carvers Guild. It was at a Cincinnati Carving show in the mid 1980’s that our mutual friendship developed and it is with deep respect and appreciation to remember Cliff who ended his life’s journey on his ninety sixth birthday. In his twilight years, he dedicated his carving activities to carving Eagle Canes for wounded veterans as is beautifully highlighted by clicking on Clifford J. Reeder. (Long Memories, LLC) Read the rest of this entry »
Study each of the photographs displayed in this posting to make the comparison between a natural (monochrome) finish of one colored carving with a multi colored (poly-chrome) painted carving side by side. Read the rest of this entry »
Visit the BEE HIVE to read the entry entitled “THE JOURNEY” which tells of a chance meeting between Keith Morrill (pictured above teaching Larry Piety at the 2007 CCA Seminar in Converse, IN) and Elma Waltner, the author of the pioneering book CARVING ANIMAL CARICATURES. (pictured above.) Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver who practices a method for opening up a block of wood using only knives to shape and detail a subject to its completion. The most efficient use of a knife is to do slicing cuts either in the push or pull stroke. A slicing cut is what is used to slice a tomato, loaf of bread and baloney which is the same action for carving wood with a knife. Often the action is a “slice and roll” movement of the cutting edge of the knife through the wood using as much of the blade as possible for most cuts. Sometimes the front end of the blade is used more than the entire length but in all cases the slicing action is preferred for efficiency and clean cuts. Read the rest of this entry »
