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Home | Features/3-D Models | 2011 Best Carving Design Contest: Realistic Category Winners

2011 Best Carving Design Contest: Realistic Category Winners

11/01/2011 14:24:00 Bob Duncan

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Announcing the winners of the People's Choice and the Editor's Choice awards in the Realistic Category

People's Choice

Gary Bos of Seal Beach, Calif, took home the People's Choice Award for his New England Whaler.

Gary Bos carved this realistic bust called New England Whaler from a piece of butternut. Gary used a clear finish on the 14"-tall piece, except for the small amount of paint he used to accent the pipe and the waves at the base (not shown).
“When I first started carving, I was introduced to Jeff Phares and his books,” Gary explained. “The New England Whaler is a combination of Jeff Phares’ style of carving plus my love of the sea. My wife of fifty-four years wouldn’t even think of picking up a chisel; however, she is my inspiration and the best critic a carver could have.”

Editor's Choice

L. Darwin Dower of St. George, Utah, earned the Editor's Choice for his Hubbard.

The editors admired L. Darwin Dower’s carving and painting skills, and attention to detail. From the worn leather in the saddle to the subtle oil paint colors, Darwin’s craftsmanship is clearly evident in this piece he calls Hubbard.
Darwin’s fascination with iconic images of the past drives his creations, and the nostalgic scenes he creates look like they come out of a historical photo. It takes clear planning and careful execution to transform the tupelo wood into a work of art. It’s no wonder that Darwin spent nearly three months working full-time on the saddle to complete it.

Scroll down to see a gallery of all of the entries in the Realistic Category.