2014 Kansas City Woodcarvers Show

Had a great time at the Kansas City Show. I volunteered to help out in the judge's area and this year's judge was Pat Moore from North Dakota, owner of Moore's Roughouts. I learned alot from her as she would take time to explain to exhibitor's how she evaluated a carving and which deserved a ribbon. I did receive three ribbons, second in Realistic Human Roughout, third in Realistic Human Bust and third in Deep Relief. I sold Merlin, Lone Elk and also four carved pencils. I sold Merlin before I had a chance to enter him in the competition, but money is better than a ribbon. My wife showed several of her woodburnings, but did not enter any. All in all a great show!

Head of Christ 2nd

Death Song 3rd

Lincoln 3rd

Judging Area

View from stage (left)

View from stage (right)

                                                 

View from stage (center)

Death Song

This carving started from one of the worst pieces of basswood I have ever carved. A fellow carver had given up on it because it was so hard. So I traded a couple smaller pieces of basswood for it, thinking I could mount it on my carver's arm and use mallet tools. This chunk of wood would rip and tear out regardless of direction of the cut or tool used. I continually stroped my tools to keep a sharp edge, but almost gave up on this piece myself. Once the carving was completed I turned to applying the finish. I used a 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits to add a little color. This usually works well and covers evenly. Not this piece, it was blotchy at best. I applied more coats than usual and eventually it evened out, but darker than I wanted. I applied several coats of lacquer and a matte finish to knock down some of the shine. All in all I like how he turned out, and just in time for the Kansas City show. Mounted on a walnut base, he measures 10" tall.