Irish Church

[Paul_Guraedy]

Things have gotten really busy back here in Whooping Hollow. Usually we go for weeks and the only person we see is the mailman. Then comes deer season……..! Muzzleloader season started a week ago and we have had hunters in every day. Most of these folks are still part of the work force and hunt after work and on weekends. To keep them happy, and the hunting fees arriving, I help deliver them to stands, bring in their deer and deliver some of these to the processor. But, now I have a 3 week break before modern gun season and have returned to the forum and to my real interest.

I have been working on an eagle relief and became a little concerned about doing the vegetation. Maybe at least one more practice on a "flat" piece before I move into something that has also been carved. So I went to Susan’s “Great Book” and decided the Irish Church would help me along. Since I was primarily interested in vegetation, I did not spend a lot of time on the church. Got it finished and sent it to a couple of non-carvers to see what they thought. I got a reply from my cousin right away. She liked the work but noticed that the folks attending this church depended on God to open the door. Yep, I forgot the doorknob.

But, it is in there now and here is my third piece of pyrography.

[AlArchie]

Wonderful burn, Paul! That would make a great relief carving too.

Al

[Lindy]

Paul,

Very nice, especially for your third burn. You did a great job on the details and the shading. The only suggestion I would make is that you need to keep an eye on your perspective with the building - your church seems to be a little tilted - Wink Oh course that could be just the way I'm sitting too you know.

Keep up the great work!

Lindy

[WOODIE13]

Very nice!

[Joy]

Your trees are great.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Lindy, the church was catawampus from the git go. I have a friend who makes display cases for businesses. He told me that I can have as many of the “scrap” pieces of ¾” China birch plywood as I want. These scraps are squares up to about 8x10 inches. I grabbed one of these when I decided to work on vegetation and selected the church. This was also my first use of graphite to transfer a pattern. So all I intended was practice.

After getting the pattern ready, I realized that the scrap wood was not quite large enough to get the whole scene on there. But, it would fit if I tilted the pattern. So, I thought, “OK, I will just outline the building and do the vegetation only”. Then, I got the trees burned and decided to go ahead and do the building to see how the whole thing looked. I still intended to consign the piece to the burn pile.

Now, a couple of people (who have some of my carvings) want the practice burning….even with the tilted building. My advice is hide the pieces that you intend as practice only. I have resolved to do my practicing on some smaller pieces where I won’t even be tempted to do a complete scene.

The photo shows the full piece and the tilt becomes even more obvious. It also shows the missing door knob...

[WOODIE13]

I like it!

[Lindy]

Hey Paul, please don't take me wrong, I really enjoyed the piece and I'm glad you didn't scrap it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Lindy

[Paul_Guraedy]

Lindy, I would have been bothered by no one paying enough attention to the piece to notice that the church sat crooked. I was not clear in the point I was trying to make with the second posting. If you intend for a piece to be practice only, you better only do part of the scene and then on a piece that no one will want. This is not the first time Diana has rescued something intended for the burn pile. The first time was a decoy that she pulled out of my shop garbage can. A few years later it was knocked off a shelf and the head broken off. She made me repair the thing and it still sits in our living room. But, I have a terrible time learning. Someday.....maybe........probably not.

[Pyrographer]

Hi Paul, I just got a chance to log in and see your piece. Glad I'm not the only one who noticed the church a bit skewed. Thought I was seeing things. The vegetation is turning out very nice....good job!

Nedra