My first bark spirit!

[GaryMc]

Hi All!
I just had to take a break from carving ornaments. My brother in law sent me some South Dakota bark this summer. It is not too good about 2 inches thick at the best. Anyway I was messing with a peice about 5-6 inches wide x 36" long and a piece fell out about 6-1/2" long x 2" wide. So I decided to try a face in it befoer I tackle the bigger piece. Being the first bark I ever messed with I had a learning curve, but I found I like carving bark, just want some bigger peices. I chipped the right nostril of the thing, seems hard to carve this small. Anyway Here is the Picture, see what ya''l think!
thanks!
GaryMc Talking

[Mottles]

Thumbs Up
Well, hey Gary I think I like it! I think you have a nack for bark carving and should do some more. Did you put a stain on it or is that the natural color of the wood? Either way it's really nice.
Kathy

[wade clark]

Gary,
I'd say he's a good'n! Nice work!
Wade

[GaryMc]

Hello Mottles and Wade,
Thansk for the comments! I have been meaning to congradulate you on your woodspirits Mottles, good job. One day I may put the first faces I did on here they are not as good as yours are, so keep up the good work.
I put boiled linseed oil on the carving, I use it on most of my carvings
Thanks again!
GaryMc Talking

[Don by the lake]

Gary,

I like linseed oil on basswood and aspen but I think it turns bark too dark. I like semigloss deft in a spray can for bark. I think it keeps the color close to natural. Other brands I have tried also turn the bark kind of dark. I think some guys use a type of shoe polish but I haven't tried that yet. Most of the bark I use is fairly dark to begin with. That's a pretty good first woodspirit. I like it!
Don

[GeorgiaCarver]

Now that is cool! Way to go, I love how fluid the carving is. Now what do you do for an encore?

Greg

[squbrigg]

Well done, I like the expression and flow of the piece. Keep up the good work.

Bob

[MelNM]

Gary, it looks real good to me also, I have been given a lot cotton wood bark I need to tackle, probably next year though.

[Colin-Partridge]

Welcome to the world of bark carving isnt it great. Good job on your first bark carving I have to agree use deft in the spray can does a great job. I also use polycrylic I find that gives the bark a nice sheen but not too plastic look.
Colin

[Clifford_Parker]

Nice work!!