Interrupted Lunch

[dnstehly]

I thought some of you might enjoy seeing this piece and some might be interested in the techniques employed in constructing the habitat. I wanted the effect of a leaf layered forest floor and so the initial step was to get out and take some pictures. I selected my example from under a variety of chestnut oak, red oak, and white oak. After taking the picture I gathered a variety of the leaves to make detailed patterns in cardboard. The leaves were then made by the method of metal repousse using 36-gauge copper. There are 59 of them. Sculptamold, a very light plaster-like material, was applied to a piece of eighth inch thick masonite to form the ground portion of the base. The entire scene is approximately 26 X 11 inches. The copperhead snake is carved from a corkscrew willow branch. The fallen branches are carved from yellow poplar and gluing sawdust to them forms the lichens. The mouse and acorn are basswood. All the pieces are glued to the base with metal posts using 5 min. epoxy. The entire work is painted with acrylics, finished with a flat alkyd resin varnish, and mounted on a piece of yellow poplar that is stained dark walnut.

As this copperhead suddenly becomes aware of the presence of a deer mouse nibbling at an acorn a question arises concerning the title. Has the mouse’s lunch on the acorn been interrupted or is the mouse the interrupted lunch of the copperhead?

[grdeno]

beautiful piece I am inpressed with all the work thanks for sharing.
Gary

[Tom Ellis]

Whatever the answer is David, that little rodent's eyes are sure bugged out. as would be mine.

Nice work, Tom

[Inadv]

David,

Once again you have created a stunning work. Top to bottom side to side it is exquisite. Reminds me of a scene I witness weekly when Sara (short for serendipity) the corn snake I saved from a cat 20 years ago (the gash on her side has long since healed, but she is unable to constrict properly) gets fed. I estimate that she was about 2 or 3 years old when I first took her in. Like me she's getting pretty old, but is still stunningly beautiful.
Thanks for posting this fine composition!

L.P.

[Josef]

An awesome carving, well composed and superbly painted. I applaud your work Sir. Joe.

[tomrsey]

Very nice piece of work!!! Clever, creative and well executed!!

[idigjars]

Super nice piece. Thank you for sharing with us. Paul

[Nomad]

Very fine work! Just wonderful! Thanks for sharing all the details.

[Claude]

Great carving, David!

Claude

[Dicky]

Another great one David. Thanks for sharing some techniques.