Finished (maybe) Civil War Soldier

[Wolf Kiessling]

I posted some pix of this guy a few weeks ago prior to it being finished. I am now finished with the carving and he has been coated with water borne polyurethane. I finished the face, neck and hat brim smooth but left the tool marks everywhere else. This is a complete departure from which I usually do my carvings. I did it this way because the tool marks, IMHO, help give the character the look I was trying to achieve; a wounded vet, maybe in 1865 at the end of the war, tired and worn out.

The reason I said in the title that it was "maybe" finished is because I have not made up my mind yet whether to mount him on a supplemental base. I am thinking of turning a round one which is larger than the "build in" square one or possible make a square one, with tapered sides, that is smaller than the "built in" base. I have about another week or so to think about it because he will be one of my entries in the Texas State Championship Show in Kerrville.

Feel free to comment, positive or negative, however you feel........... Negative comments will not tick me off but, rather, be considered as constructive criticism.........

[rzpooch]

Very nice!

[Ron T]

Hi Wolf,

I for one am very impressed by your soldier. The idean of not removing all the tool marks does indeed suggest a rough life and th weary end to the war.

Good luck with your entry.

[Kenny_S]

Very nice piece Wolf. I like the tool marks on part of the carving and not on the rest.

[Druid]

What's with the EYE, can't make it out?

looks good though!

[Wolf Kiessling]

Originally Posted by Druid

What's with the EYE, can't make it out?

looks good though!

It is the area that contained a branch, which showed up after I started the carving and worked my way down to that area, which put a hollow into the area where the eye socket, part of the cheek and part of the hat are located. I filled the area in with crushed turquoise, like I would in a fault in a turned bowl, and just ignored the whole thing. Carved right around it. I think it gives the appearance similar to an eye patch.

[Druid]

I think that the photo must let it down as stone inlay looks fantstic, and in this piece it add's a weird - is it a robot? - feel. I like it!

[Merle Rice]

Hi Wolf, Lots of luck at the Texas State Championship. I think you have a Leg up on the rest of the competition. Outstanding job. Merle

[Iowa Carver]

That's an awesome carving ...especially considering the problems that you encountered. Nice job!

Corey

[chpster90bu]

Wolf...that is an extremely dramatic work of art....and the eye difficulties just add to it! He looks as if he was injured in the war and you've done just a super job with this. I am very impressed by the whole piece. The carving is wonderful and I can't see how you could possibly get any less than a blue ribbon for this piece. I love it! Bonnie