Self-isolation

I hope everyone is safe and well during this Global pandemic. I'm staying busy with yard work and getting the vegetable garden going for the season. Of course I've also been carving a lot of cottonwood bark. So I thought I'd share the pieces I've been working on since 'Rona came to town. Thanks for following. Take care of yourself, make sure you get outside get some fresh air, take a walk or just relax. Try not to stress we're going to get through this together.

Brothers

I've had this large piece of North Dakota Cottonwood bark for a couple of years, I finally decided to see who was trapped inside. It measures 28" in length, 3 1/2"-4 1/2" wide and 3" thick. When I start a new project I plan to take step by step photos and show the process of creating a carving. Usually once I start carving, I get in the zone and forget. That's the case with the Native American. I pretty much had him roughed in before taking the first photo. I was more aware with the mountain man, and probably took too many photos. But hopefully these will help some of you, just getting started with carving, understand the process. I start by roughing in the basic shapes, paying attention to height, width, depth, position and bone structure. I'll then refine the areas of the carving shaping the nose, eyes, mouth etc. I work over the entire carving, not completing one area. I want to be able to adjust the carving if needed. Finally adding the details, this is the fun part. Don't rush into detailing, make sure the carving is in proper proportion. I detail the eyes last, that is when the carving comes to life. This piece is titled "Brothers".

Cedar Chief

If you went out to Shoal Creek living history museum in June or July, you might have seen me carving on this piece of cedar. Just finished it up at home. I applied a hand rubbed satin poly finish and a coat of Howard Feed N Wax.

After applying satin poly finish

Warrior in Cottonwood Bark

My latest carving is from a large piece of North Dakota cottonwood bark, 17" long and 4 1/2" wide. This piece was 3" thick before carving. I tried something different with this one. I used boot cream polish to color and seal this carving. I applied black polish to the hair and claws, and neutral to the entire carving. The polish worked well because you can buff a lot of it off. Leaving the color, but allowing the grain to show. This carving is available for purchase here.....  Warrior