[Mottles]

Calla Lily Relief on 1" thick basswood plaque
9" x 10" inches
Hi All, almost finished with this one just have to let it set for a few days then decide on the stain. The reason I'm letting it set is to study areas that might need improvement. I'm thinking I'd like to apply a golden oak oil stain over the entire relief.
As always I value your comments and suggestions for improvement.
Kathy

[Thor]

Hi Kathy,

I like the texture you used in the background and your compostition skills are very evident as they are in your wonderful paintings.
I think if you consider painting this one, you might wind up with a very clear image and enjoy doing it, but a light stain as you described would certainly look good.
I used to never paint any of my carvings, and everything began to look like an unfinished furniture store....then, I painted a few, and those were the ones that stood out.
You have painting skills that I will never enjoy, so your success would be 10 fold.
Very nice piece, Kathy. I really enjoy seeing what you're doing.
Thor

[Ashbys]

Kathy ,
Looks good , but I agree with Thor here, the problem with looking a a picture of an overlaped cavring is it becomes a bit flat so you look for the shadows or something to make it stand out just a bit more , so when you look your eyes will be drawn to a point, in this case the flowers.

When I first looked they did not jump out at me, with your skill with wood burning , you could eaisly bring them forward to kind of say , "LOOK AT ME" and then the stain would just really highlight them.

I like the carving and I am no means an expert, so just my opinion .

Ash

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

well guess that means we lost another carver in the "round"!

[Dylan]

Kathy, A wonderful design. You've done a great job on the flower, but in my mind the background is too busy. The texture is too close to the type you used on the flowers. This can easily be fixed if you paint or stain it a different color. Or if you want to finish it one color you could texture it with a #7 or #8 gouge or even make it flat. That's just my opinion.

It's a great piece of work no matter how you finish it.

Dylan

[Kenny_S]

Another mashing Relief Kathy. Looks great and whatever you decide will be great. Thanks for allowing our viewing of your latest and greatest.

[Mottles]

Well, gang I thought I had this one all figured out as to how I wanted to finish it. But now you all have given me more food for thought. It’s not as cut and dried as I thought it was going to be. I like all of your suggestions and I really appreciate them.
I think I will take a scrap piece of wood and draw a calla lily and leaves on it. Then do some wood burning and painting as an experiment. Then I’ll have some idea of how the use of each technique will look.
Thanks all, and I will share when finished.
Kathy

[Colin_Partridge]

Kathy really nice relief I can see where it is a bit busy but I dont think I would change the carving. I really like the background. I think if you were to undercut the Lily's a little that would give them more depth. Having said that it is amazing what a coat of stain will do.
Regardless of what you decide it is a wonderful piece.
Colin

[love2carve2]

Kathy,
Wow! That is a beautiful relief carving! I like the background but I think dylan is right it needs to be different. Whether that is different color or burn the flower to make it stand out more. I'm sure you will make the best choice after you play on scrap wood. Regardless of how you finish it, it is beautiful. Just my 2 cents worth.
Mary

[wade clark]

Kathy,
Wow! Had to take another look after reading all the replies. I love the background just like it is! It looks like grass growing wild in the lilies. Beautiful! Maybe a green stain in the grass and however you picture the lilies...but I wouldn't change the carved background or any other carving on it a bit!
Wade