[mark yundt]

I've been playing with this piece for a while. I've shown the clay mock up,,gluing up the block and profiling it,,roughing it out and now I'm finally starting to do the initial feathering,,,thought you might like to see this stage as well.

[doris]

hello mark :-) glad to see this bird again... is wonderful beginning of feathers, i especially like the flow of the small feathers over the eye, as seen in 4th foto. gives character in so early stage ... from the tools on your desk i believe you carve feathers in power tools ? also the big feathers? ...and i wonder about his feet. they seem so more early stage than the other parts, why did you do this ? (sorry, if odd question, but it striked me)

[workinforwood]

It's awesome. I look forward to seeing the end result. I can't believe you're making me a belated birthday gift when you hardly know me! I sure will look good on my mantel.

[squbrigg]

Wow... beautiful work Mark. Thanks for sharing with us. What's the wood?

Look forward to more updates as you progress.

Bob

[tnartist05]

The feathering is really coming along with more details.Hes looking great and I know from all of your work he too will be beautifull! TnArtist

[Joy]

The piece looks great. I'm glad you have time for something like this (with all the architectural work you do).

[wade clark]

Mark,
It's looking beautiful!
Wade

[mark yundt]

Thank you everyone,,as I said I've been "playing " with this off and on over a period of time,,sort of a filler piece between all the other stuff I'm doing.This isn't a birthday present (Jeff) as it is a retirement gift for the principal of a local high school,,,to which I'm donating this piece. It's my old alma mater,,where I met my wife.Their mascot is the Golden Hawks.I need to explain all this ,,and more,, to show how I'm going to do the piece.I had done one other for him for his 25th anniversary ,,which I have pictures of in the gallery.This piece though will be for the school and him as well,,kept in the rotunda of the school.Now,,,the reason not all of the bird is at the same level of completeness (besides not getting to some areas yet,Doris) is I am not going to finish it all.The right foot and talons,which are supported on what will be a Bible,will be finished.The right "hand" always the symbol of strength ,gets it's support and foundation here,,this will be complete.It's a Catholic school.The entire head,,chest and back of the bird will be finished as well except for the left foot,part of the lower left wing and tail on that same side.You will only see bare wood,,some pencil lines and as you go up ...some burning lines and then painted feathers.Part of the base on that side won't be finished as well.When the total bird / display is finished ,,a chisel and mallet will be on the display as well as a few wood chips laying around in a glass display case.Hopefully some of you are picking up on the theme and symbolism here.What I'm trying to say with this piece is the students (bird) have their basic strength and foundation in the Bible which they can lean on,,most of what they need has been completed,,but not all. The principals work isn't done either,,the next one has to "pick up the tools" and continue with the work of shaping and forming these students,,,or as they continue their life and education others or they themselves have to keep trying to finish themselves before they can take off and soar,,,as I don't think we are ever truly finished,,no matter how accomplished or old we get.So the first carving I did represented the principal,,this one represents the students.Well as usual this is a long winded post,but I thought you might be interested in my thoughts on this piece and what I'm trying to say with it. No ,,,it's not a compettition level piece,,but something hopefully that will inspire,,and win hearts instead of ribbons.

to be continued......

[falconer]

Hey Mark looks like a pretty good start!! Will it be painted or stained?

[slivers&dust]

Man Mark I love the concept story behind this piece. This will be fun to watch I hope you you can post a lot of pic's on this piece as you go.
can't wait to see it completed too