Racoon relief carved in pine knot~

[tnartist05]

This old pine knot is the only place I could carve in this 4 X 9 inch area. The coon is 2 1/2 inches carved in the heart of the knot. The board its self is really thin! The board had alot of holes in it which I used for knot holes in trees in the background.{the background is lightly carved}

Im not really happy with this coon,alot of mistakes but the wood was really hard and once I carved something wrong I couldnt re do it.


Your comments are more than welcome..thks ~Tn

[windsong]

I think you did a great job on the coon.I don't see how you carve the wood with all those knots. The grain has to go in all direction.When i see your coon it bring back old memories of when i was a boy. A big snow on the ground and my dad with my brothers and me chasing old sluefoot through the wood.
Vic.

[tnartist05]

You are right Vic,this knot for some reason was really hard! I was raised by my grandparents and we live at Shelby Forest{a state park in the country}
My grandfather raised walker hounds, I went coon hunting least 3 times a wk, I sold coon hides in Memphis at that time for $ 4.00 each. I shot my 1st coon when I was around 9 yrs old. The money I made selling hides,bought my school clothes and helped my grandparents plus we love eating coon with sweet potos. Thanks Vic for your comments--Forrest

[gene-messer]

Forrest .. As always .. another winner ...

Taking something unusual and making it special .. Thats your speciality ..

Forrest .. your carving is good .. but your painting always makes it worth it ..

Your colors are just so vibrant and it's a attention getter right away ..

As always ... It's so specail to observe your pieces ..

Gene

[Joy]

I'm so glad you showed the board before you started carving. That makes it even more special....seeing the beginning and end. Keep finding that wood!

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by gene messer

Forrest .. As always .. another winner ...

Taking something unusual and making it special .. Thats your speciality ..

Forrest .. your carving is good .. but your painting always makes it worth it ..

Your colors are just so vibrant and it's a attention getter right away ..

As always ... It's so specail to observe your pieces ..

Gene

Thanks Gene~ This coon I wished Id carved his front feet better but once the wood is cut,its gone! I kelp hitting really soild hard spots in this olde knot. Im glad you enjoy my carvings and the painting Gene.

Thanks again my friend-Forrest

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by Joy

I'm so glad you showed the board before you started carving. That makes it even more special....seeing the beginning and end. Keep finding that wood!

I try to remember when I think of it to take a pict of the wood{knot} before and after its done. Sometimes I do foget. Thanks Joy for your nice thoughts.

[JIM QUILICI]

tn,
I think you did a great job, I would not even try to carve a knot hole.I would be afraid that I would break the edge of my knife.. once again great job.

[tnartist05]

Originally Posted by JIM QUILICI

tn,
I think you did a great job, I would not even try to carve a knot hole.I would be afraid that I would break the edge of my knife.. once again great job.

Thanks Jim~ And I have broking several knives myself,course I keep re-grining them to a new edge again & sharpen them . I have several olde timey leather tools Ive made into knives and a few shoe cobbler's small tools I use at times even.

Gald you liked this coon....thk's again Jim.