[Kenny_S]

Here are a couiple of carvings I have been working on. One a caricature Fireman from a pattern by Chuck Smith and another Cottonwood Bark carving of Eagle and flag for a gentlman here in my hometown.Have some items to add to the Fireman carving like another piece of burnt hose and the pike pole is a two piece pole. The Eagle and flag will be painted but the rest of the bark will stay its color.
All comments welcome. We learn from them.

[GaryMc]

Great Looking carvings Ken, wanna see the finished!
GaryMc

[Tom H]

Very nice! Be sure to show the finished carvings. Tom H

[squbrigg]

Nice work Kenny, that fireman is especially well detailed. Looking forward to the painted piece.

Bob

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Nice work Kenny......You bringing that to the Wichita Show?? Get some Oxygen tanks on his back!

[MelNM]

Very nice work Kenny, I have a bark carvin of an eagle I haven't finished it yet.
Some day....
Mel

[Colin_Partridge]

Good job Kenny the could you post another picture of the eagle bark carving it is hard to see.
Thanks my friend
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good job! waiting to see it painted!

[Kenny_S]

Thank you all for the encouragement and kind words.
The fireman has been a problem from the "get go, One thing after another. Biggest is the basswood. Easily splinters, I took a close of of the coat but seen I have more work to do to it as it is not smooth. However, I may try another and have more creases or flods in the coat body. Not happy with it but think my son will like it.
Lynn, Probably will not bring the fireman to Wichita as I just attend the shows and talk with the carvers there. I enjoy meeting them and talking to them and hopefully meet you and Ron that weekend.
My carvings are not show quailty, I know it and try to do better on the next one. I even refused to participate in the local Independence carving show 20 mile away. Again I enjoy attending.
I have a Scott pack ion the works and will be an add on to the scene. Have hydrant, burnt hose and other items to go with it.

Colin, Will take a close up of the cottonwood carving.

The little bride wants a tortoise or turtle carve out of cottonwood bark since we became the parents of two African Sulcata tortoises. Fun watching them. The mother and father of these are around 100 lbs apiece and will grow larger.
Will be interesting. They probably will out live us both.
Thanks again to all of you.

[Claude]

Kenny - just my humble opinion, but entering a piece into a carving competition is one of quickest ways to improve your carving abilities. You'll automatically try a bit harder, but the really important part is the chance to get direct feedback from the judges and/or more experienced carvers at the show. I'd suggest looking around in the Open/Advanced category and finding a carving that really impresses you. Get the carver's name, then go track him/her down and ask them to help you evaluate your own carvings. Ask them to be brutally honest and discuss your painting, knife marks, compostion, display, etc. Take copious notes as they're talking. And don't worry about "bothering" someone - most people are quite happy to talk after you mention that their work is so great, you hope maybe to learn something from them...

Claude