50 cent woodspirit

[Lightningbolt]

Thought that some might enjoy this nifty woodspirit candle holder that my mom picked up at the thrift store for only two bits! Amazing what some people consider junk... almost insulting to the woodcarving side of me!

At first I thought that it was a ceramic piece by the sounds of my initial tapping, then as I began to really study the piece up close and picking at it with my knife I found that it was real wood. Not only real wood but I quickly identified it as sassafrass since that is a very common carving wood for me here in the south.

All of the cuts show some wear which could have been added by the artist with a steel wool finish or such, but it really has a strong feel for authentic aging. The piece was not painted when found and I decided to add the color with thinned acrylics and a burnt umber antiquing wash which I like. I then added the twisted red candle in the hole. A real sad fact that the artist didn't sign or date the piece which only adds more mystery.

While the spirits face is quite "common" I really learned a lot from this discarded piece since the woodspirit is what I mainly carve and especially the eyes which are more detailed than my own. Eventhough I have reached my own uniquely defined style of carving spirits, it's amazing how that "style" continues to evolve by studying the work of others... even a 50 cent thrift store candle holder and a piece that I wouldn't take fifty dollars for today!

[squbrigg]

That's a nice bit of carving on somebody's part. You struck it lucky to get it a such a deal. Well done.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

yeh, its a shame that carving didn't mean anything to someone! Its a good carving! Some carver probably gave it to them.....and when a lot of people receive something for nothing..in their mind, thats what its worth!UnHappy

"Bolt"

Thanks for the picture, I agree we learn alot from inspecting others work, and sometimes within oueslves have tunnel vision towards our own style of work.

For me: the eye mounds are lacking in my work style, or don't exist at all, I like the bottom mound postioning along with the upper eyelids.

Thanks for sharing the picture and your "carving style message"

[Colin-Partridge]

Wow what a find I agree it is a shame that someone with that talent is not recognized. That is why I sign every carving I do someday some one might pick up a piece of my stuff I sure hope it sells for more than 50c. Regardless a wonderful find it is almost like winning the lottery. Thanks for letting us see it.
Colin

[Irish]

Mike and I were watching an Antique Road Show one night when a man pulled out an wood box. He had bought the box at a yard sale for $5.00. When he got it home and got the lock off of it he discovered it was full of tramp art cane toppers. So he takes the box and toppers to the show - right!

Well. the box was worth about $5.00 but the cane toppers, about 30 - 40 of them, all very primitive carvings, valued out over $5000! Each one was a one of a kind, folk art carving.

Such experiences give me hope and joy that one day any of our carvings may just be of some greater value.

Susan

[Callynne]

That's a terrific little carving Lightningbolt, too bad whoever had it didn't appreciate it more and I'm glad it found it's way to someone who does!

Susan, I love Antiques Road Show, especially when they have something like that. Last week was an unsigned, woodcarved horse and rider, (they figured it was Ulysses S. Grant, about the time he was President) think the buying price was about $7.00 and it valued out at $30,000 or more. I know I would love to have it! Callynne

[Irish]

Callyene, We saw Grant and the Horse ... in fact both Mike and I were so excited about that horse that we are working right now on a Folk Art package.

I guess the thing about Antiques Road Show is that the woodspirit candlestick may well be worth a lot more than 50 cents!!!! The difference is who you take it to for the appraisal. A Thrift Shop is only going to put 50C on it but an antique dealer might decide a lot more ... and if LighteningBolt takes it to an art dealer, Well!

Susan