[Irishman]

My wife had me working into the wee hours of the morning to get a carving done for a fundraising auction. This will be the first time I have put a carving on display for public viewing...so I'm a little nervous as I would like to have had more time to experiment and get everything right. These two woodspirits from the same piece of basswood stands approx. 2ft tall and has one coat of fresh tung oil. The next few layers should bring out the features more. You'll note on the small one that the beard wraps around the wood. Not great pictures as I like to think myself as a carver, not a photographer.
Patrick

[Colin_Partridge]

Great piece of art I just love the two carvings. They should be the item of choice at the auction good luck. Let us know how you made out.
Colin

[mwilleson]

Don't be nervous, be proud! Those are both awesome carvings. You've really captured a face with feeling.

[Ashbys]

Irishman ,
Really A nice carving! The faces are awesome. It should do well.

I have a question though, and only because I thought wow where would I put this if I bought it . The answer I came up with was on my deck or my patio. Which brought up another question. Did you add protection to the bark? The bark did not look as if it had a finish so I thought I would ask.
Since your work is great and the carvings excellent , it would be a shame to lose it to being out in the weather, which is where I would look at putting it.

Ash

[Tom H]

Anybody would be proud of these carvings. Tom H

[Ron Davidson]

Great job on them! They should do very well at auction. Thanks for sharing.
Ron

[love2carve2]

Patrick,
You should be very proud! They are both very nice carvings with so much expression. They should do well at the auction. Great job!
Mary

[Irishman]

Ash, you raised an interesting point that I never thought of...the bark. What would you suggest I do to keep it from flaking off if the new owner has it outside in the elements? I have a can of varnish sealer that I used to protect a carving that I put oil paint on once. Any suggestions?

And thanks everyone for your kind words. FYI - the fundraiser is to help raise dollars for our school chorus that will be representing our province by singing on parliment hill in Ottawa (our capital) on July 1st - Canada Day. Great experience for our kids.

Originally Posted by Ashbys

Irishman ,
Really A nice carving! The faces are awesome. It should do well.

I have a question though, and only because I thought wow where would I put this if I bought it . The answer I came up with was on my deck or my patio. Which brought up another question. Did you add protection to the bark? The bark did not look as if it had a finish so I thought I would ask.
Since your work is great and the carvings excellent , it would be a shame to lose it to being out in the weather, which is where I would look at putting it.

Ash

[Ashbys]

Irishman ,
Both Colin and I use a coating made by sikkens that is for log homes to protect the from the weather and insects. There is a insectacide in the finish and the sealer last for about 2 years. before it needs to be re-applied. This is the finish we use on live trees.
It is a bit expensive but it doesn't discolor or turn white like a poly finish, and doesn't have the long term smell of BLO. It does have a slight pigment to it but for outside it will protect the carving.
Blo will produce a weather seal , but it has no protection against insects. I am sure there are other methods , but it is something that gives all round protection.

Ash

[squbrigg]

Patrick....you have nothing to be nervous about......those are both first class carvings and anyone would be proud to own them.
Please my friend, don't underestimate your own worth. You have a gift, a talent, that most people could only wish for! Best of luck with the auction and keep on carving.

Bob