Wood Spirit in Cottonwood Bark

[Dan C]

Here's my first cottonwood bark carving. This was a great experience. The bark carved beautifully, and I'll be doing many more.

1 3/4" thick
3" wide
13" long

eye irises - wood burned

I liberally brushed on liquid Deft Clear Satin Wood Finish (lacquer) so that the carving was flooded front and back. I waited 2 or 3 minutes and then blotted off all the excess with paper towels. I let it dry overnight.

I then liberally applied Feed n' Wax so that the carving was flooded front and back. After a few minutes, I wiped a lot of the excess off. Then I warmed the carving with a hair dryer, which turned the wax liquid and allowed it to get into all the nooks and crannies. Then I immediately wiped all the excess off and, after a few minutes, buffed it with a shoe brush.

I was quite happy with this finishing method. As I buffed the carving with the shoe brush, the surface really took on a shine and the lacquer and wax brought out the color and texture of the bark very nicely.

Comments are always welcome!

Dan C.

[Iowa Carver]

Wicked nice CW carving. Love the beard flow on it. Nice job!

Corey

[Eric S.]

Nice job!!! I have been wanting to try one of those. You did a great job on it. I love the color, it really stands out.

[Irishman]

He has a true woodspirit look to him. Nicely done.
Patrick

[fpace]

Dan... very nicely done... and your first you say? Wow.. looking for more from you sir!

Carve on...

[Curtscarving]

Dan-Your first CW came out great,have to try your finish process. Gave your carving more depth.
Curt

[Dan C]

Corey, Patrick, Fred - thanks for your kind comments! Cottonwood bark is wonderful to carve!

Eric - thanks for your comments. Did you make it to the show in E. Lansing Saturday? I was there between 11:30 and 1:30. I bought some cottonwood bark at that show two years ago, and this carving was from one of those pieces. There wasn't any for sale this year. Bummer.

There's a big annual carving show up in Evart, MI, 6/10 - 6/13. Hope to find some bark at that show.

Curt - Glad you liked the carving and finish! I put all the finishing details in because I thought there might be some interest. Not sure if my result was different from what others get, but maybe there was a difference.

I suspect that I got the high shine because of the hair dryer treatment. That was probably a process similar to putting a spit shine on shoes. (If I remember from my army days 40 yrs ago!) I really like the shine, but if that's not desired, then probably you could just eliminate the hair dryer treatment.

I also liked using the liquid lacquer. I felt that I was really able to seal the carving well and there was no spray to breathe in. Thanks for your interest!

Dan C.

[Eric S.]

Hey Dan, Yeah I was there right about the same time. Alot of great carvers there. I am glad I went!! Very inspiring. I will definetly be marking the Evart show on my calender.

[Cottonwood]

A very nice wood spirit! I like him.

[Dan C]

Eric - glad you made it to the show! I haven't been to the Evart event myself, but I've spoken to some great carvers who say that I don't want to miss it, so I'll be going up for a day or two anyway.

Millard - glad you like the carving! Been to your site many times for inspiration. I think that where I'm at right now, is that I need to experiment with some different facial expressions and eye types. Lots of good examples on your site. Looking forward to the next one!

Dan C.