New Bark Carvings

[Kenny_S]

I upload six new carvings into the Gallery but misspelled(whats new) the cottonwood on one, I think. Anyway, a couple are with this post.The Santa with the little Tree is of basswood. Comments appreciated , good or bad.

[Irish]

Ken, It's beautiful! I love the knot hole door on the back.

Susan

[Colin-Partridge]

Nice job Kenny one day I am going to try one of those cottonwood house carvings. I especially like the Santa carving thanks of letting us see them.
Colin

[Callynne]

Great work, Kenny, I really have to get some cottonwood bark and try it out, I love the look of it! You did a terrific job, and the Santas are very nice too! Thanks for sharing! Callynne

[jamesfa]

nice carvings i too like the house have been meaning to try onr but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Frank

Kenny, real nice compositions/layouts on your carvings, I like them all. You've been busy making some chips fly, keep up the good work.

[Lightningbolt]

Your work is beautiful and try as I might, just can't find anything else to say since I haven't yet tried this type of carving just yet.

Looking through my book, "Carving Found Wood" your carving seems to be somewhat in line with the carvings of Rick Jensen. Ever since seeing his (and now your) work I've always thought that this kind of carving could have some great possibilities if it were incorporated into a walking stick. Just imagine a woodspirit woven into a haphazard arrangment of houses, steps, and stone. Wow! I see such extraordinary possibilities!!

Thanks for sharing and for stirring up my brain salad soup again!

[squbrigg]

First class work Kenny. The colour turned out so dramatic, the detail jumps out at you. Well done.

Bob

[papasar]

Ken,
Nice work!!!
I know its called cottonwood bark but is the carving actually in the bark or the wood underneath? How thick is the bark? I see some examples that show bark very noticable and others that have no recognizable bark showing. I'm soooo confused.
Bill K.

[Kenny_S]

Thanks all for your encouraging words.

Bolt, Yes, a cane or walk stick with a wood spirit and houses and stones would look fantsatic.

Bill K. The bark varies in thickness wilth and length. Most of what I have is from 4 to 6" thick, 5 to 7" wide and the length varies but usuall around 14 to 20" in length. Yes that is still the bark and the roughest layers of the bark are cut away to leave a reddish under bark. I like leaving as much of the harder(outer layer) bark on to give more of a contrast to the carving.
Don't be confused! There are some pieces where ALL of the hard outer layer(s) are cut away to leave the inner bark. What I like about this Plains cottonwood bark, it is free. Well gas money to pick it up. Can't say how different it is from the Northern Cottonwood bark as I have not carved any of that kind but will get some and try. The outer layers(hard, greyish) part is really hard and will dull a knife or gouge fast. I use one knife on the outer part and different knives and gouges on the inter part of the bark. That is what so unique about cottonwood bark as people do confuse the carvings as carving the wood part of the tree.

Thanks again for the comments. Really appreciate the support.

BTW,I Have the little bride Carving in the cottonwood bark now and she has finished her 4th piece. The first we kept but the other three has been given to friends and family.