Apple~Mtn Man

[tnartist05]

Ive had this little chuck of old apple wood laying near my desk for a while now,a piece left over from earlier apple wood carvings from a old choping block a granny used in her kitchen cook stove. My wife knew the old cpl that had the apple orchard from her grandfather taken her there when she was a little girl.

Last year me and my wife drove up the higher mtns to the valley where the apple orchard was,the home place was gone but there in the tree lines was a run down old shed,only thing in it was this apple stump,it was totally black with alot of small cuts in the top which is where the granny would split her little kindling for her cook stove. I worked sanding on this stump alot and seeing it had a big crack in the middle of it,I busted it into halves. This is the last I have of this 65-70yr old apple wood.

I had alittle time over this wk end and carved a mtn man with a wolfs head skin cap on. The wood was so dry and hard in several places. Theres a old rotten tree on the left of the mtn man,the wolfs ears are hard to see in these picts but they are there. Wish you could hold this carving in your hand and turn it slowly to see the details.

The base of the carving is 2 inches,the carved mtn man is 1 3/8 inches wide and the whole carvings is 3 inches,then mounted on a tree branch base.

No paint was used on this carving for the antq apple wood had such beautifull grains of stripes running through it. Later I will carve some in the remaining chuck I have of this old apple wood.

As always your thoughts or comments are welcome. Thks' Forrest

Photos: 1.The wolfs head on his cap,old rotten tree to the left,its not one of the wolfs ears.

2. Side view

3. The raw back on this carving

4. & 5. front views

[tnartist05]

More photos.

[markken5889]

what a striking and dramatic piece - great work! I love it left natural, too.

Mark

[tnartist05]

WOW!! Mark I sure like thoses two words? Striking & Dramatic~ For I really wanted this little carving even being old wood and not really to be that great but I was looking for depth and it to be striking. I wish you could hold it in your hand and run your fingers around this carving! Im going to price this little carving high for I dont care if I sell it or not to tell you the truth. I might just set him on my desk here in my art room for I dont keep many of my carvings or art work.

I appreciate you and thoses 2 words.

I hope you are haven a good day,me Im carving pencils.

Thks again Mark! Forrest

[Cottonwood]

What an interesting carving. The grain in the wood form the old apple tree is remarkable. I'm sure this will be a favorite carving and will bring many memories back to you, including the memories of the day you found the old stump and memories that your wife had of the old couple that lived there.

Special carvings made from wood or trees that bring up old memories are always things of personal value. Recently I visited my boyhood home and retrieved some Cottonwood bark from a tree that was old sixty years ago. I remember that it was hit by lightning several times as I was growing up because it was the tallest thing around. I can't wait to carve something in the bark.

Thanks for showing your carving and telling some of the history that was in the wood from which the carving was made.

[gene-messer]

Forrest .. almost missed this one .. glad I didnt .. That apple wood is really unique .. It has and shows so many features that accent with the face ..

Love that look Forrest ..

Great job

Gene

[Ron T]

Forrest,

I'm telling you, I can't keep up with you. I've been checking the posts everyday and I missed this one. What a wonderful carving and the wood is so rich with color. I thought I was the only one who stares at his carvings. I love to hold them and feel the wood.

Thanks for sharing.

[Iowa Carver]

Nice work Forrest, would never have guessed it was that small .. but the photo with it in your hand tells all. Very unique carving and a great story as well bud!

Corey

[tnartist05]

Millard,memories are things that money cant buy. Plus it seems the older we get our memories increse in value!! I know mine have! Thanks so much for your nice post here and Im looking foward to what you might carve in the cotton wood from your childhood. I appricate you and your nice input Millard. Forrest

[tnartist05]

Its not a large and powerfull carving all dolled up with paint Gene but it has good character about this old wealther woren mtn man which matches the age of this beautifull old apple wood. This is what I was going for in this simple carving and Im glad you can see that my old friend. Thanks as always for your neat comments here. Forrest