Postal Bear

[Soggy]

One of the perks of living up here in the "boonies" is that we have rural mail delivery. And since the mail boxes are rather small, when a large parcel shows up the mail lady will bring it to my door. Seems that since I've started woodcarving she's had to make a few more trips than usual what with all the boxes of wood, tools, and carving books that have been arriving frequently.
So to show my appreciation I've carved this little fellow to give to her next Christmas.
Here's what I did: I took the Santa Bear pattern from one of Mike Shiply's books and modified it to look like a postal worker. He's 5" tall carved from basswood, painted with acrylic washes, dipped in BLO/burnt umber , and finished with a coat of water based varnish

[hwallen48]

Soggy
Shes going to LOVE it , i know i couldn't wait tell Christmas to give it to her!

[SlowMover]

What an excellent gift. He is absolutly charming and heart-warming...but keep him well away from any machine guns you happen to have lying around the house....he just might decide to go postal some day..ya never know!

[papasar]

Great little carving and the painting is right on. She is going to love it.
Bill K.

[Claude]

Nice carving and a great gift!
Claude

[gene-messer]

Great job .. good paint job

Gene

[Riverman]

Great idea and a great carving!
Bob

[bigEd_H]

Great carving, Soggy, your mail lady is going to love it. Thanks for sharing.

[Soggy]

Thanks everyone, as usual it was a fun project, and in my opinion she (the mail lady) deserves it.
I remember the first time she came struggling to the house with an order of wood from Heineckes. The parcel weighed almost as much as her, and when I told her what it was she just looked at me kinda funny. Now when she brings any large parcels she always says " I supose that's another box of kindling"
Wayne

[tnartist05]

Wayne,Hey with her bring you your carvings supplies all the time plus shes doing a great job doing it. Give her the bear now. If someone is helping you this much,Id give it to her now plus you would know she will be watching after your carvings supplies really close. I know one thing too,She will love him! I know I like him and you did a nice job carving him plus your painting is just right too.

Thus theres a saying; Dont put off anything that you can do today, dont wait till tomorrow it may never come.

Forrest