Canoe Paddles with Coast Indian design

[Orygoner]

I guess this is legitimate for a carving thread. I did have to make the paddles. Incense Cedar for the shafts and Western Red Cedar for the blades. I "whittle" them down with a power planer and then switch to draw knife and spokeshave.

The designs are my own. I have been an admirer of the art of the Coastal tribes of the NW, B.C. and Alaska for a long time. Some of the designs can give your brain a workout. These represent an Orca and a Beaver (split design). They are simply painted on with acrylics and then the paddles are given 4-5 coats of Watco oil and a topping of Briwax.

The paddles are meant for the wall, not the water.

[hwallen48]

Randy
They are beautiful , do you carve them also , or just paint then. I really like your designs!

[Donsexton]

Very cool, I have been making my paddles for the little flat boats that I build I use cypress.

[Josef]

Randy, they are really great. I love the painting, shape and finish. They had better be for the wall, too much beauty to dunk in the water there. Thanks for sharing, Joe.

[jimmy joe]

Real nice , I like them a lot .

[Grayhorn]

Orygoner, Great post. I have paddles on my to-do list for this summer. Yours will help me gear up. Thanks for sharing. Al

[draft51@aol.com]

The paddles are great and the design is and painting are excellent. fred k

[pallin]

Outstanding! Your designs are quite good and true to the NW tradition. I doubt you could adapt the carving style that I have commented on in other threads - incising the edges of color areas - as it would allow water to infuse the wood (if you use them for paddling canoes).

[AlArchie]

Definitely "legitimate" for a carving thread! Beautiful designs, both the paddle and the artwork.

Al

[Irishman]

I'm also an admirer of Westcoast Art and burned a pattern or two in a few kayak paddles and canoe paddle that I made and actually use. If I did a paint job like yours, I would definitely put it on the wall. I have a rough out of a crow and a wolf in cedar I need to finish in the Westcoast style so its nice to see other's sharing their work. Well done.
Patrick