First totem pole, just finished

[Nomad]

This is the first time I've carved a totem pole. This one is about 9 inches tall, carved in walnut. Kinda fun to carve. Are there any other totem poles posted here? Also, does anyone know where there are some patterns for mini totems?

Trying to decide if I want to add some paint or just put a plain finish on it.

[TreeWizard]

Good job! Perhaps it's the photo but the walnut has a strange red cast on my computer.

[jmischel]

That's a great totem, Nomad. And the walnut is beautiful. It would be a crime to put paint on it, in my opinion.

[Dan Wegiel]

Great totem and I must agree that painting it would take something away, but thats just my opinion.

Dan

[Nomad]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm leaning towards no paint as well.

[agaboric]

good job I really like it and it can fit just about anywhere.

[Nomad]

If I don't paint it, what would be a good finish?

[Robert Cahill]

Nice carving ,I like unpainted also. To answer your question Alan Gill Bridgewater have planes for a totem that is roughly 35" tall x5"x5" in their book Carving Totem Poles and Masks. Not long ago someone posted a nice picture of one they had done from the book.

[carver33]

Great job! As for paint, I might consider painting just a couple of places for emphasis, but don't know where - around the eyes maybe. Otherwise, I think it looks much better un-painted than it would completely painted.

Bill (Aiken, SC)

[Robert Cahill]

Nice carving.I like it unpainted also. To answer your question Alan & Gill Bridgewater's book "Carving Totem Poles and Masks" have a pattern for one that is roughly 35"x5"x5" . If you go to carving community on the left of this page and click on carving image galleries then put totem pole in the search box you will get 26 views the one under Bill is the one from the book.