[mark yundt]

These clients just bought 600+ acres not far from me and built their "hunting lodge" here. Thought it was pretty neat as I don't think it's your typical hunting shack.

I've been commissioned to carve both his and hers mantles showing the variety of animals they hunt around the world. The first pics show the outside of the lodge. A nice feature is the "widows walk" or lookout running the length of the roof line which you access through the glass cupola. The interior shots show the ceilings and the stairs from the balcony which lead to the roof top walk. The Mantle is in the preliminary stages at this point,,,but has since been covered with textured metal over this concrete to which I'll attach my carved panels.For reference,,the lower edge of the mantle is right at 6 ft. the entire wall goes up to around 35 ft.

A somewhat flattering note is I discovered that they had already purchased over 10 grand worth of carvings to put on the mantle. The GC told me once they saw my work he was told to "just get rid of them" . So out they went and in I came.

The other shots are only a sample of the dozens they gave me to work up into ideas for the carved panels. They've taken animals I've never heard of before. Many look familiar,,but I've never known their names.Anyway,,I have done some preliminary sketches,,which are being worked up to full size drawings for their approval. They are very excited from our first meetings.They have now asked me to do designs for the doors leading into both the gun room and the wine cellar,,as well as do designs for the wine cellar itself as well as other carvings for throughout the house,,now lets see what I can do with this menagerie.

[mark yundt]

Just a few of the animals,,,got more,,some really bizarre if you care to see them

[torpidhummer]

Mark me and my big mouth,what an encore,your client's build an a fantastic hunting lodge and you are going to comliment the lodge with your priceless work,{ I say priceless in admiration of your great work}.
Oscar

[RussL.]

It's always nice to have a little place in the country to go to when the pressures of world travel and big game hunting start to stress one out...

:-)

RussL.

[mark yundt]

Thanks Oscar,,,glad you like it.

Yeah Russ,,,they either have to settle for their regular home ( Oh good Lord) or hang out in this one,,, or their jet,,,or their yacht. Yes sir,,,some people have it rough.

Just glad they picked me to help them spruce up the place a bit...Man,,,what would the neighbors think. Happy to help them out a bit.

[squbrigg]

Quite the hunting "camp" Mark ....... and their trophy hunts are impressive in some ways, but ...... well, different strokes for different folks. I'd rather see them hunt with a camera, but that's just me. It boggles the mind the array of possibilities of hunting scenes. Reminds me of the latest issue of Willife Art magazine, and a series of paintings a couple did on Big Game Hunting from the Victorian era. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Let your imagination run wild with this one!!!

Bob

[tucker1931]

Mark, that certainly is a cute little cottage to have in the old neighbor hood. Personally, I'd like to see the hunters themselves hung on the wall, but then, that's just my opinion. In another respect I hope ya make a ton of money, looks like they can spare it.
Cliff

[chuckt]

So I guess this is another twist on the "why do you rob banks" question. Why do you carve for rich people? They have the money to afford it!!!

Wow! Yeah - not too shabby a shack they got there. Part of me has to think about the fact that $30 a month can feed a starving child in some of those places they go to hunt, and the phrase "store up treasure in heaven, not on earth..." comes to mind, but then I AM thrilled that it will allow you to keep creating the masterpiece type works you create Mark. Congratulations!!!

I am certain that you'll come up with something to truly amaze us all. Can't wait to see the WIP shots on this one.

ChuckT

[gene messer]

That's there hunting lodge ! ... I could be so lucky ..

What a beautiful home .. and with your work Mark .. it will really be beautiful ..

Gene

[arapsang]

Congratulations on landing such a great commission. You certainly have the vision and the skill to do a wonderful job for your clients.
I was struck by the trophy pictures you were given to work from. How quaint and old-fashioned! Shades of 1930s safaris and Ernest Hemingway.
My feelings lie with Squbrigg's and tucker's and to cheer them up a bit I enclose a couple of my trophy pictures, taken earlier this year in the Shimba Hills.
uckily for these animals I shot them with a canon and not with a rifle.



Peter