face and vines in cottonwood bark

[Irishman]

This 22 inch bark carving will be going to a fundraiser for a local women's shelter. The pictures did not turn out very well as you cannot see the detailing. The little female face was much easier than the vines as they kept breaking off as I undercut them. A carver on here shared the idea of mounting the carving on a burlap matting inside an old frame so that's how this came to take shape. I just sprayed a light layer of deft sealer as I didn't want it to darken too much. Enjoy.
Patrick

[kdispoto]

The face did come out wonderful - the layers/grain looks fantastic.
The vines were a nice touch. A solid 'A'.

[JoeVM]

Nice job on the face in bark. Now that you tried it, how do you like the bark?

[Robson Valley]

Dear Irishman:
My carvings are minimalist, drifting towards Pacific Northwest Carving styles.
Yours are another source of inspitration, I see your vines outside my kitchen windows.

[Irishman]

Thanks Ken, Joe and Robson,
Ken - this is my second time trying the bark. I didn't do the detailing on the first piece as I have with this one. I like being able to push my tool through and not relying on using my mallet, however, I feel I need to go with less detail style of carvings given how delicate the bark fibers are.
Robson - I really like the PNW style of carving so I'd love to see some done in bark. I was thinking of trying a mask in bark but I don't know how the fibers would hold up if I thinned out the back of the face.
Patrick

[wayne(mj)]

That is a super carving and I am still surprised when you come up with these little add ons, like the veins and leaves. I try to think of things and come up with blank ideas. Maybe sometime it might happen. Again very nice.
Wayne(mj)

[Merle Rice]

Good job Patrick. Merle

[Ron T]

Hi Patrick,

That's a great face for bark. As you said, it's not easy getting detail in that soft fiber. Ilike how you mounted it.

[Bill V]

Patrick,
Nice job! love the wood grain and mounting it on the burlap frame.

[Irishman]

Thanks for dropping in on my post and providing your comments. The Board is so busy these days with post, I hardly have time to check out everybody elses work.
Patrick