Re: From a piece of 2X4

[Inadv]

I have recently acquired a few new pieces of equipment (band saw and rotary carver) and wanted to practice on something before tearing into my dwindling basswood reserves. So I grabbed a piece of cut-off 2X4 pine lumber and drew my side and top views on it, cut them out on the band saw, whittled it down with my version of old reliable, and finished it with the rotary carver. The base/habitat gave me fits (see thread on carving waves). Several really great suggestions, but not quite what I envisioned. This is close, but I made a mistake on the orientation of the "wave" at the get go. I've already started a second one from 2 - 2X4s glued side by side that is much larger than this one, So far so good.

Please offer any suggestions or comments you may have as I'm trying to learn as I go here. To be certain the basswood would be easier, but the pine offers some very unique challenges. The grain is very unforgiving for one thing, but I really like the way it looks.

L.P.

[comreno]

Inadv;
I like the carving, very nice.
Like the price of the wood also.
Larry

[Thor]

I like the illusion of water you created. Nice carving all around. The grain looks really good on the dolphin.
Christina

[Dicky]

Thats a nice dolphin Inadv. Dolphins are on my to do list but I haven't found the perfect model yet.

[Merle Rice]

Best looking 2x4 I ever seen. Very nice work. Merle

[Inadv]

Thanks to all for your compliments and kind words. I've almost finished the sequel to this one and it is about 3 times larger. This experiment with construction grade lumber has turned out far beyond my expectations for sure.

L.P.

[Ron T]

Hi Larry,

A great accomplishment, no doubt. You may not have to dig into your stash of Basswood if you can do this with 2x4's. The habitat is a nice touch, too.

[Grayhorn]

That my friend is what carving is all about. Take a piece of wood and make it into something wonderful. Well done.

[Robson Valley]

Inadv: it is in your mind. I believe that's why it looks so good. The most elegant representation of the ocean that I would never have imagined. I can't take my eyes off the dolphins jumping on the pressure wave in front of the boat. They swim just for the fun of it.

[Inadv]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your compliments. Yes, it is in my mind. At times there seems to be no distinction between what is in my mind and what comes out of the wood, and then at other times the hands and the mind seem light years apart from one another. My muse can be a fickle old hag one minute and the most beautiful thing I know in the next. Gotta love her both ways and in between.

L.P.