Oak Bird Chairs

wade clark · #1 06-29-2005, 07:20 PM

Here's the pictures of the chairs I'm working on...drastic change since cutting through the chair vs. relief carving! This being unknown exploration, It was scary to me! I think it was a good move...had to get the chair light enough to move...went from 400+ to maybe 300 lbs. this week. Overlook the wax, picture them a golden oak color rather than dirty wax! Some is white, still wet. I look forward to them being completely dry in about ...2007!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e292005020.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e292005019.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e292005018.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e292005017.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e292005016.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e292005015.jpg

Should I have quit while I was ahead? Can't! They're still too heavy to move and there's tons of detail work that hasn't even begun...and I'm having fun!
Wade

brian bailey · #2 06-29-2005, 11:55 PM

Wade,

Those are going to be some awesome chairs when you get em done!

Please tell me that your using a power carver instead of a chisel and mallet to remove all that wood. My arms ache just thinking about it!

Having fun is what it's all about!

Good luck on finishing your project.

Brian...

Irish · #3 06-30-2005, 04:50 AM

Wade, Don't quit when you are getting ahead ... That is exactly what they needed. The idea of being able to look through one side of the chair into the seat area then through the other side is wonderful. These chairs are becoming a personification of nature embracing man ... or at least the man's bottom that gets the priviledge of sitting in them.

Susan

squbrigg · #4 06-30-2005, 08:06 AM

Wade, those chairs are a work of art, stick with them man! They remind me of a "Throne" in a castle, one for the King and the second for his Queen! Have fun with the carving, take your time and just think....those chairs will out live you and will be a representation of your work your generations to come....a signature if you will! Your Grandchildren will bounce their children on their knees telling the story of how you had the vision, talent and dedication to carve them from a single piece of wood! Well done. Don't forget to sign and date them.

Bob

Paul_Guraedy · #5 06-30-2005, 09:59 AM

Wade, those are incredible. Could we have a little more detail please. I assume that the wood has not fully dried. How in the world did you get blocks that size inside for carving, etc.?

Thor · #6 06-30-2005, 10:04 AM

Awesome, simply awesome.
The pierce work really adds more dimensions to the chairs. They must be even more spectacular in person. It is a privaledge to see them in progress and to think of how long they will be around. What a legacy!
Wade, I hope you'll continue posting pictures of them as you work so we can all be your cheering fan club during the entire process.
Thor

S-Shamrock · #7 06-30-2005, 10:39 AM

cutting through was definately an improvement, keep up the good work!!!
that must have been one big tree!!
-silas

artolver · #8 06-30-2005, 11:55 AM

Powerful Wade, the idea is great, the work is great, wrestling that much oak? right on...
art

wade clark · #9 07-01-2005, 12:38 AM

Paul,
It was a 4 ft thick by 7 ft long hollow live oak log, cut one month when I got it, in February I think. To get it in my 5' wide door, I had to buy a bigger saw and cut it in two 3 1/2' pieces then roll it in the door...that took 7 hours! Then I bought an engine hoist to pick up the pieces, built rolling carts with wheels rated at 2,000# each to roll them around, and began. I wish you could have seen all the beautiful wood that I removed in the process...at one time the entire inside of the chair was an incredible burl pattern, but I had to remove it to make room for a person to sit in it! The inside wood is dark purple when it's freshly carved and the sap wood is golden oak. I hope it shows the purple when I finally get to finish it.
I'll post more pictures in about a week.
Thanks again Everyone for all the encouragement!
Wade

Paul_Guraedy · #10 07-01-2005, 08:03 AM

Sure enjoyed your new post on the trials and tribulations of trying to get the wood into your shop. What a project! Even the idea of having to move this much wood around is incredible.

I was raised in the "live oak" country of LA; but, never knew anyone that carved it. How is it to carve? Are they beginning to show signs of drying? How do you intend to "finish" them?

Am looking forward to future pics and following your project to completion. You should give consideration, at this early stage, to publishing an article in Wood Carving Illustrated when completed. Not many projects of this magnitude make it into publication in the carving world.