Artistic opinions please, Meerkat

[Mike L Hasler]

I can't quite decide, shall it be a standing piece or a squatting one. Either way I'll have to carve a tail, but the piece, thou not going to be a 360 one, does have enough wood below to make it a standing meerkat, I'm not sure which one would be a nicer looking finished piece. I've never seen the series on meerkats, should I rent all of them and then decied? Or do ya'll have a choice? Usually, I see the completted work before I start on one, but this time all I really saw was the head lol.

[Coffeeman]

Mike,

From your picture its hard to see how much wood you have left to complete either position, with that said, and adding artist license, maybe you don't even have to show the lower body portion at all. Make the base to represent the hole in the ground and him vertically coming through half-way out looking for his buddies.

Just my thoughts, carving is looking good, love the selection of wood, and its an animal you don't see carved very much. Good luck and have some artistic fun.

Bill

[CarverFromNoWhere]

I like Bills idea but I think a squatting one would also look cool. Great work by the way Thumbs Up.
Carl

[Joy]

The expression is calm and peaceful...so I think that would go better with a seated (squatting) meercat. A standing meercat would be more alert...head up...I think. (my two cents)

[Mike L Hasler]

Thanks folks, I hadn't thought of a hole, maybe thats why I didn't see the completed piece and I wouldn't have to bother with a tail, Thanks Bill. But since I have about 12 more inches of walnut below what you see, I'm thinking of the squat on the edge of a whole,Thanks Carl and Joy. Glad I asked. I'm thinking Joy has seen the traits of this animal before .And it makes sense.