A “Slug” is sometimes referred to as a “slow and lazy person” as in “sluggard.” It also refers to gulping down a drink, a type setting term used in the old printing business, a fist punch thrown in a fight, a bullet and a counterfeit metal disk inserted into an old time slot machine. In the case of HOBO “SLUGGS” the nickname is for a shiftless traveler of the road who is thought to be a lazy person but in this hobo’s case he is “slow” by never getting in a hurry as in taking life “slow and easy.”
Such a “slow and easy” temperament makes “Sluggs” a likable character who wiggles his way into the heart of everyone he meets. His outer appearance may show the wear and tear of the hobo way of life while the aura of his personality suggests that pretense does not always tell the true story. “Slow and easy,” is to savor each moment of the day, relish the strength of friendship and bask in the wealth of memories remembered and being made. Sluggs reminds us that we all cannot be footloose and fancy free but we can take life “slow and easy” by not taking ourselves so seriously by taking time to enjoy the journey instead of eying the destination that is often illusive. Read the rest of this entry »
Twelve students gathered together on June 20, 2014 to begin a three day class in Whittle-Carving at Leiper’s Fork, TN in the carving studio of Vic Hood. The students pictured above are (left to right – first row) Ray Rost, Vic Hood, Don Burgdorf, Tim Wright (second row)Gene Graham, Don Dunlap, Clem Kirsch, Rick Hardin, Clark Kirsch, Sandie Burgdorf, Buzz Friedli and Carson Salyer. Read the rest of this entry »
Twelve students gathered together on June 9, 2014 to begin a five day class in Whittle-Carving at Maquoketa, Iowa during the International Woodcarvers Congress competition and show. The students pictured above are (left to right – first row) Laura Reich, Don Mertz, Diane Guntzel, Charlie Arnold; (second row) Jim Hecker, Marc Featherly, Martin Linzy, Ted Lauf, Fritz Seybold, (third row) David Abler, Elmer Marting, Rodney Manthey, and David Meyer Read the rest of this entry »
Whittle Doodles are fun whimsical carvings that are carved with the prompting of imagination in a free hand manner using only a knife to create the various embellishments in a block of wood. This Whittle Doodle MAX was whittle-carved into a four inch square block of jelutong. The monochrome finish is artist oil paint Raw Sienna mixed with boiled linseed oil with a protective finish of Deft applied after the oil finish has dried. Read the rest of this entry »
Whittle Dwarfs are fun little whimsical carvings that are carved out of an inch and half tall by an inch square basswood block. A Whittle Dwarf is primarily a head carved on top of the toes of shoes, thus the “dwarf” appearance. The eyes are covered by the hat while the nose, mouth, mustache, beard, hair, teeth and ears are carved to represent the simulance of a caricature face. They are good practice carving exercises in a small package while at the same time offering a variety of facial poses that bring a smile to the viewer as well as the carver. Earlier Whittle Dwarfs postings appear in the Category of “Carving Projects.” (click on photo to enlarge)
Kathy Johns recently gifted my wife and me with her wood burning portraits. She is a very good carving friend who is a ribbon winner with her eclectic carving subjects as well as other artistic mediums. The three photos below are of Kathy, husband Don and examples of her beautiful art.
Thank you Kathy and Don for the gift of your friendship, the best gift of all.
When it is said, “you got egg on your face” it means something so obvious that it cannot be hidden. On the other hand, when a wood carver says, “see the face on the egg,” it is obvious that a face has been carved into a wooden egg. (click on photos to enlarge.) Read the rest of this entry »
The Mini Gnome Wizard is a mini version of the original three inch by inch and half square Gnome Wizard. The Mini Gnome Wizard is an inch and half tall by an inch square. The first photo above is of the Mini with a penny for comparison of size. The next two photos are of original Gnome Wizard three inches tall for comparison. The final four photos below are of various views of the Mini Gnome Wizard with monochrome finish of artist oil paint color Raw Sienna mixed with boiled linseed oil. Whittle-Carving style of carving only with a knife allows for creating pristine details in a small package. The twist of the pose allows for a sense of movement in this fun little project. (click on photo to enlarge)
