Kestrel and Saw Whet Owl

[Paul Adkins]

Two birds I just finished, both are carved from Tupelo and painted with acrylics.

[Thor]

Paul, those are beautiful. The kestrel is so colorful! Thanks for showing pics of those.
Thor

[oldbearx2]

Super carvings Paul, the colors are so lifelike. I've noticed a lot of bird carvers use tupelo over basswood. What's the major advantage or difference.

[Ron T]

Hi Paul,

Both carving are absolutely remarkable, but I really like the kestel. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

[torpidhummer]

Paul, all I can say, "your carvings are amazing",thanks for sharing.

Oscar

[falconer]

Oldbearx2, The differences are big when it comes to bird carving. Tupelo does not have the grain that bass does. It sands to a rock hard finish for burning and bass does not. I like that it holds detail really well and is a much more flexible wood as well. Bass wood fuzzes and tupelo does not. Been using tupelo for the past 25 years and never had a problem with it. Except for the bird shot I found in one piece, but thats a different story.


Welcome to Sierra Creek Studios

[oldbearx2]

Thanks Paul, I have a full size loon pattern that I have been itchin to get at. I have a ton of basswood, but think I will look into the tupelo for the loon.

[Paul Adkins]

Thanks for the comments from everyone. Oldbearx2, I used Basswood for years, after I tried Tupelo one time for birds I stuck with it. It doesnt fuzz as bad as Basswood and takes detailing much better. It also burns cleaner, a much lighter wood.

[markken5889]

great pieces you've done here Paul. Really outstanding work!

Mark

[Paul_Guraedy]

Tupelo, in my estimation, is the only way to go for animal and bird carvers. The advantages have been spelled out in this thread. A couple of things keeps me working with basswood. First is that I have a large supply of basswood in my storage building. Second is that tupelo, in large blocks, is not easy to come by.

I have talked to other carvers expressing the same concern. We did have one store (Branson) that kept a good supply of large blocks. When I heard they were going out of business, I ran up there to stock up on tupelo. Too late! Others had beat me to it and nothing was left.

So, where are you folks getting your tupelo.