"West Texas Tank!"

Lynn O. Doughty · #1 02-01-2008, 09:19 AM

I don't think I've posted photos of this one which I did quite a few years ago but thought you might enjoy seeing it. This is the one that was so big that I had to drive it all the way to San Diego to make sure it arrived in one piece. It was about 3' tall. If you could read the caption it says "It wasn't so bad until he put his socks in!" Although the quality of the photo is pre-digital if you look close you can see two holey socks hanging on the edge of the galvenized water tank. I used epoxy resin to simulate water in the tank and there is a stream of water running out of the pipe from the windmill. The windmill was really a blast to make as the vanes turn and swing freely if you blow on the tail. All made out of metal. The windmill framework is wood which is what you would see out west.

To get the folds on the clothes the cowboy is hanging up on the string between the windmill and gatepost I hung up a pair of jeans and shirt the same way in the shop and, used them as a guide. There are also a couple of chickens in the front of the scene. Sure which I had better photos of this piece, as it has always been one of my favorites. I got the idea after driving across west Texas to a big Chuckwagon event in Lubbock.

Anyway, hope you like it.

BobT · #2 02-01-2008, 11:13 AM

Nobody can ever accuse you of missing any detail. That is wonderful work. It is a joy to look at.
Thanks for posting it.
BobT

hobo · #3 02-01-2008, 07:15 PM

very nice carving and painting lynn. Im with bob t on this one .

windsong · #4 02-01-2008, 07:22 PM

Lynn that is a great piece.Like all the carvings you do.
windsong

Mottles · #5 02-01-2008, 09:02 PM

Lynn, terrific carving and what neat inspiration...all one has to do is open there eyes to what's around them. I love it!
Kathy

Myron Compton · #6 02-01-2008, 09:25 PM

Lynn,
This one really hit home for me. I just love this one. I have an actual Aermoter windmill in my back yard. About 30 feet high. My dad and I installed it many years ago. Great scene Lynn...Myron

tucker1931 · #7 02-01-2008, 09:27 PM

Lynn, as usual absolutely awsome work. Let me see, I'm 77 years old now (doin quick math in head). I've got it, if I live to 125, I should be able to come close to what you are doing. Great stuff, thanks for posting, it's a treat to see your work.
Cliff

gene messer · #8 02-01-2008, 11:24 PM

Wow Lynn .. That is fantastic ... what detail !

Superb work ..

Gene

Lynn O. Doughty · #9 02-02-2008, 09:09 AM

Myron......I cannot believe you actually have an Aeromotor Windmill in your backyard. What a lucky guy! Ever since we built our little gallery I've always imagined just such a windmill setting on the hill beside it. Driving through west Texas we passed a lot of repair yards with old wooden windmills and believe me, if I had had my 16' trailer I would have brought one home. Have you been to this site?
http://www.windmillenterprises.net/p...hotoalbum1.htm

You know, when we come up to Dayton maybe I'll bring my trailer. Now, what was your address again????

AlArchie · #10 02-02-2008, 09:56 AM

Lynn, what a great piece. Back when I was a kid in the UP, there was one of those windmills on every farm around. And when I went to Phimont Scout Ranch as a kid in 1958, all the watering holes on the ranch were fed by just that type windmill. In case anyone is interested and not familiar, Philmont is a 137,000 acre piece of back country located just west of Raton and Cimarron, NM. In addition to being a high adventure Scout camp, it's an actual operating cattle and horse ranch. That means that while hiking (most hikes are in the range of 75 to 100 miles) the scouts need to share these watering holes with the cattle and horses.

Now all the old windmills have been replaced by small solar arrays powering DC motor pumps. I know it's progress but it sure took away a lot of the ambiance of the place.

In 1988 I took another group of scouts out there and after a long dry day were looking forward to watering up at one of the open tanks......someone had damaged the pump head and the water was WAY beyond purifying, so we had to hike an extra 5 miles or so short on water.

Anyway, thanks for posting those pics...brought back a lot of old memories! I guess that's what you do best. Even though your carvings are indicative of the "Old West", they ring true with anyone from rural areas all across this great land!

Al
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Al