Woodspirit, Keeper of the light.

Mike-in-WV · #1 05-07-2005, 02:08 PM

Somthing different for woodsprits. The base is red oak siding from an old homestead here in WV. It's .75x4.5"x10" .The spirit is from sweet gum and it's 9" high and about 2' across. The women really like these things. I call them the "Keeper of the light" Mike

Lightningbolt · #2 05-07-2005, 02:28 PM

Really nice job there Mike! You've given me some new ideas on detail and I was wondering if you sanded the spirit before finishing because it appears to have a smooth-like look from the photo. I normally leave the chip marks showing in most of my own woodspirits but they really look good either way, as this one proves!

One more thing I was wondering about: I once lived on the coast of North Carolina where there was a lot of sweet gum trees (witch hazel) and although I've never carved it I am really curious about how it carves. We used to split a lot of it for firewood and at times I wished that I had some dynamite to use on it because the grain went in all directions like no other wood that I've ever sunk an ax into... very frustrating to split but it's what was available so we just dealt with it!

The red oak base (complete with sawmill marks) also adds a nice touch and a historical keepsake from the old homestead. The locals in my area of the Blue Ridge also use a lot of red oak for rough cut building material and I have quite a nice supply on hand myself.

Thanks for taking the time to share and may the spirit's light shine on all!!

Clifford_Parker · #3 05-07-2005, 03:22 PM

Nice work Mike. I have drilled the top of a woodspirit for a candle but hadn't thought about making a stand and adding side pieces for the candles. Don't be scared of carving some of that oak if it is big enough. Sure its hard but the color and grain is beautiful.

Mike-in-WV · #4 05-07-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightningbolt

Really nice job there Mike! You've given me some new ideas on detail and I was wondering if you sanded the spirit before finishing because it appears to have a smooth-like look from the photo. I normally leave the chip marks showing in most of my own woodspirits but they really look good either way, as this one proves!

One more thing I was wondering about: I once lived on the coast of North Carolina where there was a lot of sweet gum trees (witch hazel) and although I've never carved it I am really curious about how it carves. We used to split a lot of it for firewood and at times I wished that I had some dynamite to use on it because the grain went in all directions like no other wood that I've ever sunk an ax into... very frustrating to split but it's what was available so we just dealt with it!

The red oak base (complete with sawmill marks) also adds a nice touch and a historical keepsake from the old homestead. The locals in my area of the Blue Ridge also use a lot of red oak for rough cut building material and I have quite a nice supply on hand myself.

Thanks for taking the time to share and may the spirit's light shine on all!!

We have an abundance of sweetgum around here but it's kind of spotty. When you find one you will find alot of it all togeather but I never seem to find just one anywhere.
I like to carve it in the green after it has set for a few weeks and as I'm carving I keep the carved area wraped in saran wrap each time I stop for any lengh of time at all. After it's carved I will ghive it two coats of minwax stain and then seal the carved part with two coats of tung oil. It will take a few months to dry depending on what area you live in and the humidity there.
It's always best to cut this stuff or any other trees in the late winter as the sap is way down. If you cut any this time of year it will be full of water.
As for the smoothness of the carving I do no sanding but when I'm carving with my detail knife it only takes a few minutes to smooth it up a little. You can still tell it's hand carved on close inspection.
There are several other trees that I have been playing with also that work great and now most of my spirits are carved in the green. I want to try some kind of Caricature from green wood. That's the way Emil Janel carved his , In fact he kept his carvings in a bucket of water as between carveing time. Mike

Mike-in-WV · #5 05-07-2005, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifford_Parker

Nice work Mike. I have drilled the top of a woodspirit for a candle but hadn't thought about making a stand and adding side pieces for the candles. Don't be scared of carving some of that oak if it is big enough. Sure its hard but the color and grain is beautiful.

Thanks Clifford!, This red oak is really aged and nice stuff. I may try some relief carving with it. I have a couple of old rough cut 4x4 too. Mike

squbrigg · #6 05-07-2005, 04:26 PM

Candle holders with character. Well done Mike, I love the idea you've come up with. I can imagine that the flickering glow from the candles, will create all kinds of mischief with the Spirits face in the dark. Great idea, well executed, nicely carved, nice job.

Bob

Irish · #7 05-07-2005, 07:51 PM

Beautifully done! I love the concept and sure can understand why us gal would be attracted, it has a spirit feeling to it. The line work through the hair, beard, and brow is a great contrast to the smoothness of the eye area. It makes the eyes the focus of the entire work. Does the woodspirit hold a candle as well?

Susan

Mike-in-WV · #8 05-08-2005, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish

Beautifully done! I love the concept and sure can understand why us gal would be attracted, it has a spirit feeling to it. The line work through the hair, beard, and brow is a great contrast to the smoothness of the eye area. It makes the eyes the focus of the entire work. Does the woodspirit hold a candle as well?

Susan

Irish, Thak you for the compliments. No candle for the wood spitit but I thought about a small scented candle. You can buy them at the dollar store 3/$1.00. They are about 1.5" tall and 1.5 around. Mike

Kenny_S · #9 05-08-2005, 08:35 AM

Another Great piece Mike. Made a similar candle holder for Christmas decoration last her for the little bride. Mine was plain and never thought about a spirit ot a Santa.

Great work Mike.

BTW, Glad you are back posting. Hope the thumb is healed.

Mike-in-WV · #10 05-08-2005, 08:51 PM

Thank's Kenny, Good to hear from you again as well. My thumbs are better and my honey do list is almost caught up so I should be in good shape around here before long.
I also got that hound carved to go with my Hillbilly that we talked about a while back .

ed pics on the Caricature site. The lantern in the dogs mouth took a while to carve,Lol. Mike