ELKHORN is another example that every carving project is a learning journey of attempting to carve certain effects into a carving.  Native Americans have been a good subject for carving projects because of their noble facial features and ornamentation of their dress. Read the rest of this entry »

LES R. MOORE is a three and a quarter  inch tall caricature carved out of basswood in the Whittle-Carving style of carving only with a knife.  He is stained with artist oil paint color Raw Sienna mixed with boiled linseed oil and finished off with a coat of Deft brushing lacquer.  Being a small figure who chomps on his cigar with a carefree attitude, Les is more than he seems.  He is kind of like a first impression in that what you first see is not always what you get.  Les never jumps to conclusions nor does he make quick decisions for there is more to Les than meets the eye.  He is a caricature carving who invites a studied look to see more  of Les. Read the rest of this entry »

Mahogany Indian bust was carved out of one and three quarter inch square by two and half inch tall block of very old mahogany given to me by a carving friend from Michigan.  It was carved using traditional carving tools with knife carving used only for detail work.  It was finished using Howard Feed-N-Wax which brought out the natural beauty of old mahogany. Read the rest of this entry »

Faces carved on the handle of an antique potato masher Totem Pole fashion is an example of the Old Carver’s Law: “Don’t let any wood go un-carved.” This style of carving is an exercise of letting the carver’s imagination guide the carving knife to transform a non-distinct wooden handle into a carved novelty.  The faces are examples of caricature face carving that fit the shape of the wooden handle.  This carving project was a gift to someone who collects antique potato mashers  as well as wood carvings of many artists.  I was honored to do this carving for these special friends. Read the rest of this entry »

Don Stephenson, a member of the Dayton Carvers Guild, is a prolific artist who keeps coming up with carving project ideas.  In fact, he keeps coming up with  so many good ideas that I have nick named him the “Idea Monster” to which he emailed me back a drawing of the proverbial “light-bulb idea icon”with a monster-ish face on it. Read the rest of this entry »

JOHN BURKE, ended his battle with cancer on January 29, 2010.  A carver of extra ordinary artistic ability and whose name is synonymous with Western Art, John endeared himself to his untold number of students and the carving community.  His was a household name and along with his beloved wife, Nancy, they sponsored a yearly woodcarving learning experience in the Western and Wildlife Art Workshop at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska.  The “Burke Sharpening System” revolutionized the ease of sharpening carving tools.  Most of all the friendships made over the years continue to relive the memories of times shared. Read the rest of this entry »

A “Monochrome” finish is a one color or natural finish that is illustrated in this photograph of four Whittle Folk Spuds.  What the natural finish does is force the viewer to take a closer look at the carved features of a sculpture.  A natural finish shows off the detail of the carving cuts and the overall design of the sculpture.  A “Polychrome” finish is many colors that creates another kind of aesthetic beauty.  Read the rest of this entry »