Two dimensional artists often work out a creative design by drawing variations of the same theme over and over again in a sketch book.  It is all a part of an artistic study to see and experience what the creative imagination envisions.  Woodcarvers do the same by carving a themed subject over and over again.  Every carving project is a journey in learning as well as allowing the creative sub conscious to partner with the carver in creating variations on a common theme. Every carving is a practice piece that provides another journey down a familiar path that has twists and turns not seen on previous journeys. Read the rest of this entry »

Carvers are commissioned to carve various subjects that offer a challenge to grow in the carving experience.  Every carving project is a learning experience of trying new and different subjects.  Recently a friend gave a commission to carve “game pieces” for a board game in the genre of “Monopoly” but in this case is a drug intervention and instructional game for youth.

The six game pieces requested included a judge, lawyer, counselor, policeman, sheriff, and the accused.  Each was to be carved out of a three quarter inch square by and inch and half tall block of basswood and thusly “miniature” size. (click on each photo to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »

The mental image normally associated with “Gnome”  is the little character who advertises for a travel company or for the “Garden” variety that are available in gift shops wearing a red pointed hat, blue tunic and sporting a white beard and mustache.

Gnomes are imaginary characters so it is OK to use one’s imagination in carving a gnome in a non-traditional style.  In fact carving should be a creative process that allows imagination to be set free to create in a style only imagination can visualize.  All too often in the carving journey a carver wears a strait jacket of staying within the lines of convention by carving in a predetermined style or one similar to what everybody is carving. Read the rest of this entry »

Hugh O’Neal  is a carving friend who lives in Alabama.  He is one of the Survivor Students  from the recent class conducted in Charlie Leverett’s studio.  Hugh brought to class some of his recent carvings and granted me permission to take pictures and to share in this blog.  Some of his earlier carvings have been featured in previous postings as part of the Carving Friend series.  Hugh continues to come up with some of the neatest carving projects that are worthy of being seen by a larger audience.  Hugh has a creative eye and a carver’s touch with a very unique style of carving. Hugh is living proof of “the more you carve the better you carve,”  as each carver develops a unique style of his own. Read the rest of this entry »

“Sidekick”  is a representation of an old cowboy who has been around a long time with dependable friendship and loyalty to be trusted to help out in a pinch and always reliable.

Sidekick was carved out of an inch and half square by six inch tall block of basswood and colored with artist oil paint mixed with boiled linseed oil in the Painting Softly style. (click on photo to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »

    “Scrapper”  is a nick name given to a carving project that is carved into a “scrap” piece of wood.  Scrapper is a way to fulfill the Old Carver’s Law: “Leave no wood un-carved.”   This four faced Scrapper was carved out of a one inch tall, two inch wide and one inch deep scrap of basswood.  Often a Scrapper will begin as an intended practice carving and in this case the face with bushy hair was carved on one end.  On the other end a cigar chomping dude was carved.  With plenty of space remaining between the two faces on each end, an Indian was carved on one side and a pirate was carved on the other side.  (click on photo to enlarge)

The knife used for this carving is a homemade knife made out of blue blade spring steel with a handle made out of leopard wood.

Otis and Sloppy Joe are not only carving studies but also studies in character as they represent the contrast of personalities.  Much like the “Odd Couple” characters of movie and television fame, Otis is the neat one while Sloppy Joe is the less refined. Joe chomps down on the stub of his cigar, has no sense of color coordination nor of bothering to button all the way up.  Otis gives the polished appearance of a well-dressed man who is prepared for rain or whatever else may come up as his pipe dreams encircle his head much like the smoke from his pipe. Read the rest of this entry »