Dream Commission

missioni · #1 02-26-2006, 02:30 PM

I have been wanting to do a large piece for quite sometime. The santas I carve are fun but are not what I really want to do. While I was in school in Europe I spent almost all of my spare time going to the churches and studying the carvings. It is sad but but very few carvers want to do that kind of carving anymore. I have done a few small relgious figures but nothing big.
I just got a commission to create seven relief carvings for my church. Each will be approximately 40"-48" square. They will be high reliefs so some of the carving will almost be in the round. The theme is Hebrews 11, "The Hall of Faith."
I have attached the preliminary sketches and will post progress shots from time to time. The next step is to make clay models. This is going to be a long process so be patient.

Dale

missioni · #2 02-26-2006, 02:31 PM

The admin has posts limited to only four images, so here are the other three.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 02-26-2006, 02:39 PM

A very ambitious project! Really interested in seeing the carvings...."go for it!" lol

squbrigg · #4 02-26-2006, 04:45 PM

Congratulations....that will be an exceptional challenge. I am looking forward to your WIP pictures. What kind of wood do you plan on using?

Bob

missioni · #5 02-26-2006, 05:15 PM

I would love to do it in mahogany but the budget is not going to allow (unless someone knows where I can get a good deal on 900-1000 board feet).
I will carve it in bass and stain it.

mwilleson · #6 02-26-2006, 05:52 PM

Those will be fantastic pieces!

Do you draw the pictures or where they prepared for you?

I look forward to watching the progress. These will be a fantastic carvings.

Congratulations on the commission!

Bartster · #7 02-26-2006, 06:06 PM

please keep us posted with the progress on these peices. i am sure they will be beautiful when done.
good luck and happy carving

bart

Mark N. Akers · #8 02-26-2006, 07:23 PM

What a bueatiful drawing,can't wait to see it in wood.

Lightningbolt · #9 02-26-2006, 07:50 PM

Those are some really powerful sketches and I really enjoyed thumbing through them all! Thank you!

These type of biblical sketches remind me a lot of my childhood when I remember spending so many hours looking through all of the picture Bible story books. Those pictures still cling to my mind, my thoughts, and a lot of who I have become today.

Your church is fortunate to have you!

missioni · #10 02-28-2006, 01:37 AM

The drawings were done by my wife and are based on some 18th century woodcuts that I have.
I am starting with Rahab (the woman helping the two Israelite spies). My goal is to have the full size model done in about three weeks. When I get it done I will post a pic.