First Pics

chuckt · #1 07-18-2007, 06:21 PM

Hey there folks! Well, I been up and about on this board for sometime now, and have yet to post any pics - so I figured it was about time that I get past my shyness and post pics of my first lame carving attempts.

I will classify ALL of these as WIP since NONE are finished. I am a GREAT starter - and a TERRIBLE finnisher. <sigh>

#1 - First up is my in progress at the moment first relief attempt using Chris Pye's relief carving book. This is the "low" relief which I let become pretty deep in some areas.

#2 Is a gnome home I started last summer in Tony Erickson's class at NEWR. Never got around to completing it but I WILL do that soon.

#3 Is a cypress knee Santa/Chinese Monk (a friend said it looked more like that to him) that I started also at NEWR last summer in a class with Barbara Mann. I kinda see him fighting the wind and holding a pole with a lantern attached in his right hand. I woodburned the mustache and beard and eyes. Could not carve those details at that size - beyond my skill.

#4 Is my first attempt at a shelf elf. I screwed up and cut in to far the beard and mustache on his right side. So now I am trying to figure out how to fix it as best possible. Either that or he becomes firewood. Suggestions welcome. [EDIT - Of course - I just realized that the pic I posted doesn't show that side - so I'll have to post another when I get a chance.]

So there you have it. I can sure talk a LOT about carving for having DONE so little eh? ;-)

!
ChuckT

Treever · #2 07-18-2007, 08:20 PM

Chuck-tough room, isn't it? Awful quiet, so I thought I'd toss out that I think your work looks pretty good. To give you an idea about the elf, if the right side is cut too far-cut the left and make it balanced! Not much help is it. Don't ever-EVER destroy your stuff, in my opinion. Always keep it as learning reference material. Even if it stays in a box.

Eddy Smiles · #3 07-18-2007, 08:47 PM

Chuck... I've seen worse at craft festivals for boo-coo bucks so don't be too hard on yourself! The more important question is are you having fun? If the answer is yes, then what are you still doing on the computer? Go make some more chips!

Tom H · #4 07-18-2007, 09:17 PM

With carvings like those, there is no need to worry about anything. Unless it's that some of the rest of us will be jealous and quit posting photos of our work. Very good-----so far, now finish them and really blow us away. Tom H

GeorgiaCarver · #5 07-18-2007, 09:26 PM

Excellent job on those carvings. You are like me, I have 8 projects right now started but not finished....

Love the cypress knee carving, really want to see the finished pc. The others are great as well but that knee has some really interesting features.

Greg

chuckt · #6 07-18-2007, 10:00 PM

Thanks guys! Appreciate the feedback and the encouragement. Indeed this is a tough room at times. ;-) But hey, given the amazing quality of the work some of the carvers here do, I guess its to be expected. I just need to start spending more time makin chips than reading about it or writing about it.

And yes - I am having a blast when I carve. VERY calming and meditative. Except when I slip and gouge or break a piece I intended to leave. <grrrr> Then my language takes a turn I wish it wouldn't. ;-)

Love the sound of my gouges moving through the wood.

!
CHuckT

doris · #7 07-19-2007, 01:32 AM

"Love the sound of my gouges moving through the wood."...and ..."VERY calming and meditative." ...yes, indeed !!

chuckt, i am glad you show some of your carving wips, i know how diffiuclt that is, when oneself thinks the are awful...but they are not. with the shelfelf, maybe when we can see how the mistake looks we can advise better. generally, i learned so far, if something looks wrong, then it is wrong, and the best is to cut more wood. and in your case, it sounds you need remove more wood from opposite site, like trever suggested.... try imagine how it will look when you cut there some wood away...

but why i came in to say something to your post, is the third carving, you call santa/monk. that IS great ! really. yes, it is early state, but it has already a story in it (i would prefer see it as monk ), it carries an emotion. i do look forward to you finishing that ! what an ambitious project too, i love that you tried it, and am sure it will turn out wonderfully. keep going. dont worry, never really burn a piece, when you feel uncomfortable with it, but put in place where you not see it a while, then later take it again, and look at it with fresh eyes, you will see amazingly more, and all of sudden problems are solved in meantime..

Banjo · #8 07-19-2007, 06:30 AM

Hey, Chuck! You've got some nice WIP's there! I especially like the shelf elf. He's gonna be a real cutie! Thanks for sharing your pictures and please be sure to post pics of the finished pieces!

tnartist05 · #9 07-19-2007, 08:09 AM

Chuck,I think you did great on the carvings,like the monk & shelf-elf.Keep working on them,cant wait to see some picts of them finished. Good work.............Forrest

Doug Ridley · #10 07-19-2007, 08:10 AM

I'm with Greg.They all look good to me but I esp. like the Cypress knee. Having carved a few of these I have to say if you aren't satisfied with it just send it to me 'cause I LIKE it! A lot!