Stump carving complete "never again"

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi gang,
I just completed a private commission in a residence of a Manitoba Maple stump. The stump was huge probable five feet across and about three feet high. The lady wanted an eagle but the stump was too big and cut off too low. I talked her into the tree spirits but it was the most difficult carving I have ever done. The problem was that it was too low to the ground and then she had a box built around it about 2 feet high. So I was either bent over or sitting on the ground trying to carve it. Well I have two artifical hips and for me that is not easy. I will never do a carving that short again I will probably pay for it this weekend. I wont know if they like it until they come home as they are on holidays for two weeks in LA California. I have posted pictures of the carving roughed out and then finished on the tree carving album in Picturetrail.BTW the stump was very much alive it was sprouting new leaves all over. The carving took me two full days to do it.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...&members=1
Colin

Nice job Colin, bet that maple was pretty tough carving!

[MelNM]

You could have dug a hole and carved standing up looks good to me, someday I would like to take on big project like that.

[Smokey]

Nice job on that stump. I certianly can appreciate the difficulties when carving this close to the ground,( the prosthetic hips and the bending) and not enough 'swinging room'.

I can see by the photos that because of the 2 spirits, it can be seen while approaching from either direction--nice touch.

While the inherent difficulties are obvious, this certianly is a fresh approach--I like the way the 'spirits' look like they are coming out of the ground. It seems a little more natural as opposed to the more 'posed' carvings that suddenly appear on the side of a tree.

Nice work--Thanks for sharing--Smokey

[AlArchie]

Colin, you may suffer for doing that, but your customers sure shouldn't! Another great piece of work! And with those new sprouts still coming out of the trunk, that you mentioned, you may have created a whole new genre of 'greenmen'!

Al

[squbrigg]

As usual Colin, you have created a wonderful piece of art for a customer, even under difficult conditions. Well done. I hope the hips don't bother you for too much and that you get back to your normal self again soon.

Your wonderful work begs this question.......do you give a name to each carving? When finished, do you tell the 'Spirit' their name, or the other way around? Does the 'Spirit' tell you who they are? I have always believed that the wood speaks to me, and trees. Any who doubt just take a walk in the woods in the fall, find a quiet spot and sit and lean back against a good size tree and just listen!

Maybe it's just me.......or maybe I should be on stronger medication? :P But I love the woods, especially in the fall, my favorite time of year.

Regards,

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good job Colin! I know what you mean, can't work low like that either anymore, especially on my knees! But have to ask you, the sad looks on their faces, does that reflect your pain or attitude? :

[owlhause]

Nice job Colin! I'm partial to the one that is leaning.

I think everyone has at least one 'never again' story...I have several

greg

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Another great job Colin...absolutely inspiring!


one suggestion...have customer pay for your medication to alleviate your sore hips...LOL!

again great piece of work!


Chahlie

[Colin-Partridge]

Thanks for all the great comments. The people returned from California yesterday and I just recieved a phone call they are estatic. It is always nice to hear that because I am always very nervous even when the people are at home if they are going to like the carving. I have never had a customer that didnt. I always wonder what I would do if they didnt like it I think it would be hard to change the carving once it was done.
No Bob I usually dont name the carvings unless the customer insists I do. I usually leave that up to them. However on that last commission I did in the elm tree's they insisted that I name the carvings. I called the group by the house 'The Watchers' and the one in the middle of the yard 'The Caretaker' I dont know where I came up with those names maybe in a book I once read who knows, but they thought that the names were great. No you are not on strong medication I feel the same way when I am in the woods I get my greatest inspirations when I am there. It seems that when you are alone with nature you really feel that connection if you know what I mean.
Colin