Works in process
Raven,,,
Carving and shaping the form of these Ravens is a process of many methods ,,, part carving with power tools and shaping with power tools then comes the hand carving rasping, detailing and sanding, refining the shape within each method ,,,
Blue Mussel Bowl
hand painting
Hand Carving

Bowl carving is one of my fav ways of spending a day ,,, The Gutter adze is a very quick way of creating a divit in a chunck of wood,,, the heavy weight and a keen edge makes for a quick rough out of the bowl area,,, followed by a large bent gouge and mallet, within a very short time all the rough hollowing is done ,,, This block of maple was from a huge tree in our back yard,,, we had to have it taken down as the tree was mature and now becoming a hazard. It was huge and the branches where begining to break off. Threatening the green house and possibly people ,,, one of those stems wheigh several hundred pound and even a small branch dropping a 150 feet is deadly,,, Rather then just turning all that tree into fire blocks, I have milled a bunch of slabs from the main stems and bowls and spoons from the branches and some of the blocks
The second day is hand tools

All the work this day is hand tooling the shaping and reshaping so what you see here may not be the end result it was just the end of a long day,,,
Before After
The laughter mask

This mask is in process. Here is some of the work so far
You can click on the small images to enlarge them to see the detail better,,,
You can click on the small images to enlarge them to see the detail better,,,
Concept, Process and evolution
The concept

From the concept to the mock up and selection of wood, everything is optional,,, till you make the first cut. The slab of Broad leaf maple, that I selected was wild with figure. The log this slab came from had been laying in a swamp submerged in mud, then eventualy wound up at IP, I chose this piece to make the small desk case, that was my final piece at the school.
The slab was 4ft. x 2ft. x 2 1/2in. There was a lot of clean up and prep work to surface the slab. So I could select the sections I would use for the top, ends, bottom, shelf, partition, and the veniers. And this is where the trouble started.
The slab was 4ft. x 2ft. x 2 1/2in. There was a lot of clean up and prep work to surface the slab. So I could select the sections I would use for the top, ends, bottom, shelf, partition, and the veniers. And this is where the trouble started.
Raw Material
The product
The process ,,,calls for innovations

Sometimes it is hard for some to actually see how these things are done as it is hidden in the studio they only get to see the final project or just a photo.,, Things like how the forming takes place is a mystery to some and it (I feel) is an important component to creation " IS" the processes.
The skill that need to develop, the tools over the years collected, the space required, materials gathered, All of this was stuff I didn't have much of an idea about when I first started and the many times following as I REstarted the process of being an "artist" I hope that in some way I may be able to show some of the process as I do it,,,not necessarily "THE WAY" it COULD or SHOULD be done. As I can really only hope to show how I do it
The skill that need to develop, the tools over the years collected, the space required, materials gathered, All of this was stuff I didn't have much of an idea about when I first started and the many times following as I REstarted the process of being an "artist" I hope that in some way I may be able to show some of the process as I do it,,,not necessarily "THE WAY" it COULD or SHOULD be done. As I can really only hope to show how I do it
Maple Slab Bench

This bench has been laying around the shop for some time. I even stored it at the church for a couple of years and forgot about it,,, My reasons are simple FIRST It is a speck piece and it has no home, 2. If I finish a piece and it gets banged up hanging around in a small studio space I can't sell it until I refinish it... and that makes me crazzzzzy. 3. Sometimes I have to figure out how I want to finish it and what the final touches are going to be. 4. Other times I have just not been happy with some part or all of the elements and until I can resolve those issues it sits and we wait......and wait..... The work I do will and intended to be around a long time, I would rather they where done to the best of my ability at the time they where made ,,, rather then be "just getter done" examples of that attitude. My work is personal at least to me and I hope to present my works as personal expressions of an attitude I strive for every day... furniture and elements of a home I believe do reflect the other inhabitants as a complete feeling of "home". Each element inter woven to provide an atmosphere conducive to a good life, well lived, lived well. All the elements being in harmony with each other to provide that. Purpose and deliberate consideration, investment, in an effort to provide a tranquil space we will habitat, a better part of the one life we are given.
Ascention
This carving is a process of evolution of discovery and development. This work is of a spiritual metaphor for the transition form this world to the next or the transformation of the living spirit to the level of spiritual evolution to a new spirit filled and motiated life....Mine being no accept ion.
Ascending Spirit.... Is the title

Ascending Spirit ... This carving is inspired from the moment Christ's spirit left the cross... Though it is also meant as a visual translation of the process of our human form making the transition from tactile to eternal spirit. As described change between the dying of ones self to the new body in Christ... The facet of ascending to a higher plane.This is a wonderful exercise in carving to create a transitional flow from solid to the wisp. Creating a movement in the static. The challenge here is to carve smoke! to give the impression of a transition from matter to ether.
Ascending Spirit ... This carving is inspired from the moment Christ's spirit left the cross... Though it is also meant as a visual translation of the process of our human form making the transition from tactile to eternal spirit. As described change between the dying of ones self to the new body in Christ... The facet of ascending to a higher plane.This is a wonderful exercise in carving to create a transitional flow from solid to the wisp. Creating a movement in the static. The challenge here is to carve smoke! to give the impression of a transition from matter to ether.