New Guy!

[Storesformen]

Hello.. My name is Jack and I have been carving wood for about 20 years.
I started with an axe.. Trying to hollow out a log and turn it into a canoe..
I never made much of that one so I then just grabbed a log off my wood pile
and chain sawed a wedge out of it.. Then got my sawsall out and started working on a nose..Grabed my dads chisels and started pounding out some features. I then ran out to a store and bought mt first dremel as I have burned out tons of them, and got the eyes going. Carving is my only true hobbie. I seem to pick it up on whims. It really calms the beast in me and allows me to only concentrate on what the piece I'm working on truely wants to be.
When I first moved out of my families house I moved into an apartment in Washington, NJ and there was no garage for me to carve in.. I brought a four foot log into my bedroom and laid tarps out and carved a guy sitting on a stump for about 2 months.. I sleeped on the couch the whole time and had to clean that room over an over again to get the chips out of the carpet.

My best work is in my Dad's house in his great room. It is my version of a mermaid sitting on a rock. Her bottom resembles a shrip tail or lobster tail a nice body!! instead of arms I cut two holes in her back and hammered in seperate wings that flair out like an angel.. My favorite part of carving is the eyes.. She has a stunning look about her gaze.. I have probably made about 10 indian heads, 2 mermaids.. The other mermaid was small.. She also sat on a rock which I hollowed out with large drill bits and then poked a bunch of holes through it.. You could then light an insent under the carving and the smoke would rise up through the wood/rock to look like mist.. I have also done a bunch of wind goddests... Thats what I call them anyway.. Starting with any branch or log and carving a manly face with beards and hair that seem to be blowing in the wind..

In the meantime.. I am trying to make a living with a new website I have created called Stores For Men, Men's Clothing Stores, Gifts for men! where I also sell all the tools a wood crafter could ever need.

Check it out and let me know what you think.
Thanks
Jack

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Jack. It's nice to have you here. I hope you can post photos of some of your carvings in the gallery. They sound real nice from your description.

[Storesformen]

Thanks Ron!
I will get some photos up.
I went to your site and saw those walking sticks your doing. VERY NICE!
I Love them! I can see the heart in it all! You make your own carving knife.
Wow. Last year I bought a small file set. I was amazed how fun it is to just use wood files.. You're a very talented man!
Happy Holidays!
Jack

[Irishman]

Hello Jack, welcome to the site. Look forward to seeing your work.

Patrick

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Welcome Jack I am also looking forward to seeing pictures of your work .
Carl

[Storesformen]

Hello again everyone. Here are some pictures of my carvings
New Page 1
Please be easy on me as I never said they were great. I just enjoy the carving very much.
Thanks
Jack

[Storesformen]

Irishman

You're carving make me feel foolish! Wow!!!!! GREAT!!!!
Very inspiring! Very intense!!

Some amazing talent here!
Jack

[chuckt]

Hey Jack - welcome to the Forum. Glad you've come aboard. Don't be so hard on yourself. I really like your carvings. I really like the rougher rustic look of many of them. You may see them as unrefined or less detailed than some of the other work you'll see from folks on here, but I see that as a valid artistic choice. I especially like the flow of hair for the head & beard of your spirit type face. As well as the Asian looking face. Looks like you leave them unfinished (as in no oil or poly applied). Is that something you intend to do or do you just prefer them that way?

Can't wait to see more photos. Very nice work!

Cheers
ChuckT

[Storesformen]

The asian guy I left outside for a while to see how it would make a carving look. I like the old look. I like the rough look myself.. I have never added shellac or any shinny finish to a carving. Although I might after seeing how everyones carvings look so well finished.

I appreciate the comments! Every once in a while I pour olive oil all over a carving or spray it with pledge, Murphy's oil... Years ago I used linseed oil and put the rags in my closet. Later that same night I smelled smoke. When I opened the door to the closet the rags poofed into flames.. So hang your rags outside or leave them in water..:-) I don't use that oil any more.

Thanks!
Jack

[wood2carve]

Jack, Welcome to the board.