Little Outhouse on the Prarie

Not sure what the big deal is these days with tiny homes. But thought I'd carve a few up. lol Carved from basswood and finished with a satin varnish.

Christmas Cottonwood Bark Carvings

Finished up three more cottonwood bark carvings. I don't like to paint carvings, I like the natural finish. One thing I do paint our my Christmas carvings. I'll let these cure over night and apply a matte finish on them tomorrow. Then they will be available in my Etsy shop.

Stick Horse Ornaments

I started a new project today. The first Christmas tree ornaments of the year. I'm getting started late this year, usually start on them right after Easter. These are fairly simple stick horse ornaments carved from butternut.

Cameo Brooch

I've been commissioned to carve a cameo brooch for a friend that is a re-enactor at Shoal Creek Living History Museum. She wants it finished natural. I chose butternut for the beautiful grain. It is carved from a piece originally measuring 2 1/2" x 2" x 5/8". I finished it with a light coat of satin polyurethane. I apply a coat and then wipe off all I can. I just don't care for a glossy look. Hope the customer is happy.

Shoal Creek June Demonstration

Just finished my second woodcarving demonstration at www.shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com/. I had a great time meeting and talking to people. Sold two carvings, one to a lady visiting from New York. If you are in the area, I recommend you visit. The re-enactments are on the first Saturdays of the month through September.

Greenman

Just finished this Greenman wood spirit. Carved from Arizona cottonwood bark, he is over 17" long and 4" at the widest point. Finished with lacquer and wax.

Shoal Creek Demonstration

I had a great time carving at Shoal Creek Living History Museum yesterday. It is a small 1800's town consisting of authentic historic buildings and log cabins relocated from surrounding counties. The first Saturday of each month in the summer re-enactors bring the town to life. They had a carpenter's shop that was vacant, and I was lucky enough to get to use it to demonstrate and sell my carvings. I will be there the remaining events this summer. I sold a carving to a lady from Russia. She bought it for a friend, back home, that is a knife maker.. Pretty cool, one of my carvings will be in Russia.

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.