[Just Carving]

I just finished taking photos of a carving I finished that I'm going to give my nephew (see below). He graduated Thursday from Middlesex County College with an AS in fire science. He's a volunteer firefighter in Highland Park, NJ. He'll be finishing his fire inspector's licensing course next month at the fire academy. He has a few irons in the fire (pardon the pun) for getting a job. He just has to wait and be patient. I think he's going to do very well. I'm very proud of him--and envious too. He's doing what I wanted to do when I was his age. LOL

Here's some photos of the carving--it's called 'A Boy's Dream'. I carved a boy in firefighter's gear--just like a dream. It's about 4 3/8 inches tall, 2 inches wide, 2 1/4 inches deep. The fireman's axe was glued on Peter Ortel style--2 pieces--top and bottom with pegs carved into the pieces and glued into a hole in the hand. The wood was basswood. The paints are acrylic and the finish is 5 coats of gloss lacquer.

Ron,
The firefighter's helmet is red with a white front piece with the number one in gold with black trim on the number. He's wearing an air mask painted midnight blue with the face piece painted watered down black over silver to simulate the reflection of smoke--no face. There's a silver regulator at the bottom of the mask with a midnight blue hose leading under the right arm to the air bottle on his back. He's holding a fireman's axe--the handle is a light brown and the head is red--in his left hand--cyan/teal colored glove--more like a mitten than a glove, i.e. just a thumb, no fingers--with the axe head down at the feet and the handle up in the air--the handle is about a quarter of an inch above the helmet, i.e. the axe is taller than the boy. The axe handle is actually glued to the helmet brim and the axe head is glued to the left toe of the boot. In his right hand--cyan/teal colored glove--same as left glove, he's holding a firehose/nozzle--nozzle painted silver and hose is an olive color with the hose sweeping around under his arm and behind him at his feet. It stops at a dead end behind the left foot. He's wearing a yellow coat and pants with big oversized black boots. The SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) air bottle on his back is silver with a midnight blue hose feeding under his right arm to the mask. The air bottle has a gray regulator/neck where the hose is attached. On the chest and over his shoulders, is a tan colored harness which is to simulate the harness for the air bottle.

[Just Carving]

Four more pics...

[Keoma]

This is just great! My little firefighters would love one! Great job!

[Iowa Carver]

Great carving! I really like this. I have to figure out something for my son as well. He starts at the fire academy here in a couple weeks.

Corey

[Ron T]

Gosh, what a great job on the carving and the painbt job is superb.

[Just Carving]

Thanks Keoma--I think all little guys want a chance to ride on them red trucks--especially to blast the air horn! I lay into that horn every chance I get! LOL (I guess I'll never grow up!)

Thanks Corey--I'm sure you'll come up with something great for your son--regardless, it'll be special to him and you, too!

Thanks Ron T! I surprised myself on the paint job--it's amazing how well you can cover up your mistakes! LOL

Bob L

[Ashbys]

Excellent Bob .

I am sure he will cherrish it .

Ash

[gene messer]

Bob .. not only a great idea .. but a wonderful little carving to go along with it ..

Someones got a special nephew thats going to be pleased ..

Gene

[Just Carving]

Thanks Ash! Tim did woodworking before he started school. So, he has an appreciation for things made from wood--and I'm guessing he will like this a lot, too.

Thanks Gene! It was an idea that evolved as I was doing it. I started with a Peter Ortel type carving in mind but I wanted to add something that would mean something to Tim. I think I accomplished what I set out to do.

Bob L

[tnartist05]

Alot of nice work there Bob L on your behalf but it turned out so neat!!

Very good work!! Forrest