Large Cottonwood Bark

I received another box of large cottonwood bark from my supplier in Arizona. If you've never carved bark, you should give it a try. The first thing you need to do is clean it. I use a nylon brush and a garden hose. This removes most of the dirt and grit and little critters. I then lay it in the sun to dry.

Access Art Event 2016

I was invited back for the second Access Art Event at the Woodneath Library in Kansas City Missouri. Presented in partnership with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Art Institute it was an all-day, all ages event providing opportunities to create original works of art. I was there, along with other local artists, to display and demonstrate our art. I displayed some of my latest woodcarvings and worked on a woodspirit in cottonwood bark. It was a huge success and is going to be an annual event. I'm looking forward to next year. 

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Green Lady

Most carvers struggle with female faces, myself included. It is easy to carve women, if you carve ugly women. Let's face it the more wrinkles you carve on a male the better he looks, not so with a lady. I am no expert carving females, but practice makes perfect, or so I've heard. 
I carved this green lady from Montana cottonwood bark. She measures 12" in length and 4 1/4" at the widest point. This piece of bark was 1 3/4" thick before carving. I finished with lacquer and wax. Thanks for looking.

Trapper Wood Spirit

He is hand carved from Montana cottonwood bark. He measures 12" in length and 3" - 4" wide. This piece of bark was 2" thick before carving. The back of the carving is flat with drilled hole for hanging on your wall. Finished with lacquer and wax.

Native American Wood Spirit

Carved this Native American from Montana cottonwood bark. He measures 12" long, 3" - 5" wide. The bark was 2" before carving. Finished with lacquer and wax.

Dapper Dan

Found this gentleman spirit hiding in a chunk of cottonwood bark. He measures 12" long 3" wide and 3" thick before carving.

Mischievous Wood Spirit

This guy is carved from cottonwood bark. He is 12" long, 3' wide and was 2 1/2" thick before carving. Finished with lacquer and wax.

Bill Hickok

I started this bust carving six weeks ago. He is carved from a block of butternut measuring 3 1/2" x 4"and 7" long. I finished him by applying a coat of polyurethane, wiping off the excess with paper towels.

Cottonwood Bark Wood Spirit

Finished another one, this one measures 12" in length, 2 3/4" wide and 2 1/2" thick before carving. He was finished with lacquer and wax.

Native American Woodspirit

Another cottonwood bark carving. Chief measures 12' in length, 3" wide and was 3" thick before carving. He was finished with a coat of wax.