Literary works of art have long been illustrated by two dimensional art through drawings, paintings and photography.  Often classical sculpture has illustrated a larger story through its visual effect that upon seeing the sculpture the story is remembered.  Caricature carver Steve Prescott has introduced a unique way of using caricature carving of inanimate objects to illustrate cowboy poetry.  Steve has collected hats, primarily western hats for a long time and when he read a poem entitled “I Know That Hat” his creative genius came to life to create a caricature illustration for the literary art of cowboy poetry.  In his own words and through photographs Steve illustrates a cowboy poetry poem with his caricature art through HATS. (click on photos to enlarge)

Caricature of Inanimate Objects

 Way back in Mrs. Myers 11^th grade literature class I hated studying poetry considering it too mushy and flowery.  Since then, I have discovered cowboy poetry and I have it.  It’s down to earth, humorous and deals with real life situations.  My favorite cowboy poet is Baxter Black.  His poem, “I Know that Hat,” struck a note with me as a hat lover, as well.  I decided to try a caricature woodcarving that would go with the poem.

I do mostly human and animal caricature woodcarvings but wanted to carve some caricature hats.  I have never intentionally tried to caricature inanimate objects.  I have always admired how Disney animators make inanimate objects come to life in their movies.  I have seen some caricature of some wood carved inanimate objects such as Brogan boots, women’s high top shoes and cowboy boots.  Fellow CCA carver, Randy Landen, also does some neat caricature candles.  But generally, we do not see much caricature of inanimate objects.  It is a subject that is largely untapped by caricature carvers.  Open your mind to possibility of caricaturing something other than human, animals and the occasional Halloween pumpkin.

“I Know That Hat” is my attempt at inanimate caricature woodcarving to compliment Baxter Black’s poem.  The hat rack is 18” tall and 5” x 5” at its base.  The poem is mounted on 1/8”x 8” x 14” Birch plywood on a 6” easel.  There are 18 different hats, 2 bandanas and a pair of spurs on the hat rack. Hats range in size from 3”by 3” to an inch and half. The smaller hat and caps were added to fill in between the larger hats.  All are glued onto the hat rack and were finished with acrylics paint and boiled linseed oil.  The base is 12” x 6” x 2” basswood with carved flooring stained gray.  The base is stained black.  The name plate is 1 1/2” x 8” brushed brass with black print from the Keller Trophy Shop. 

Stephen H. Prescott.

I Know that Hat

Baxter Black ~ Cowboy Poet and Humorist

I DON’T KNOW YOU, but I know that hat.

I wore a hat just like it

Back in the days when men were men.

You bet the pot and played to win

And if you lost you tried again.

You bet your life I know that hat.

A cowboy gave that hat to me.  Back then it was nearly new.

“Wear it well,” he said to me.

“You’re startin’ out, the world to see.

I hope you find your destiny.”  And so I took that cowboy’s hat.

I put that good ol’ hat to work…when work was all I knew,

Wrench in hand and on my back, fencing pliers,

the ol’ line shack,

Horseshoes, ropes and cattle tracks,

that hat could hold its own.

But then I put my tools away and hung up that ol’ hat.

I climbed aboard the “business” train,

faced each mountain as it came,

Made my mark and earned a name,

and only wore the hat to cool ambition.

‘Cause I was on the inside rail, building cornerstones.

I learned to find my way around,

to keep my feet on solid ground,

Not judge a man when he was down.

The hat just took it all in stride … and waited.

It watched to see how I would play the cards that I’d been dealt.

Would I stay strong through boom or bust?

Would my soul grow or gather dust?

Was I a man someone could trust?

And could I face the man in the mirror?

Nowadays I live my life content, but always thinkin’

I’m keepin’ busy just the same,

Trusting others with the reins,

share the praise and take the blame.

It’s just the way that life goes when your hand’s on the wheel.

Yup, I don’t know you but I know that hat.

Mine’s hangin’ on the wall.

It just reminds me what it takes to make life good.

Ya get some breaks

Then give some back for ol’ mistakes.

And if you learned life’s lessons well,

They all can tell.  ‘Cause if you did, that hat,

that good ol’ hat …

Still fits your big ol’ head.

Thank you Steve for giving us all a challenge to consider more ways to express creativity in a variety of caricature carving projects. Hats off to you for your carving gifts and contributions to the ART of CARICATURE CARVING.