[Paul_Guraedy]

It certainly is good to have the forum back up and running. At first I thought it must be my computer. So I sent an email to Squbriggs and found out that he too could not get access to the site. I wanted to make sure so I called the magazine and found out it would be down for a while. Anyway, Bob and I exchanged a couple of emails including photos of things we have in progress. He is doing his usual incredible job on a ship. The detail is fantastic and I am sure he will post it to the forum when he is finished.


I sent him pics of a piece that I have nearly complete. It is a roughout from Debbe Edwards that I started on about a year and a half ago. I need to have some idea in mind of what is happening as I carve a piece. Here I see another cougar (I have named the piece "The Rival") that has appeared a fair distance "off stage" of the carving. The male (standing) is saying "Uh Oh"! and the female (reclining) is saying "Now, this is getting interesting!"

I almost have the fur burning complete and will be ready to start painting. A friend wants to do the same piece and use mine as a “go by”. He also asked to use it before I do the painting. This means that it will be a while before I get it finished. Since, I have the pictures ready to go, and have been having withdrawal symptoms from no WCI Forum, I decided to go ahead and put them on as a WIP.

I was tempted to do the burning and leave them at that; but, had gotten too far along without worrying about keeping the same temp. Burning in the hair on the legs, and their stomachs has been a real chore. Trying to hold the carving, hold the pen (sometimes with two fingers by just the end of the handle), and get the light to shine where I need it……. Well, maybe painting is a better idea! Also, I have a painting scheme in mind for the rocks with the old stump and green bush. Don’t know how it would be to burn the cougars and paint the habitat.

Anyway this is what I have been working on for a long time now…….

[Thor]

Wow Paul! From top to bottom that is incredible. I'm really impressed at the details all the way down to the base.
I do look forward to more pictures of them.
Thor

[doris]

a really beautiful piece. i love the composition, the cougars, how very nicely you shaped the bodymasses, well balanced, no fussy detail, every muscle tells. and the faces, just gorgous. great work, thanks for sharing... yes, i missed forum badly too, i think we all did, and many not knowing what has happened. so good its back online....and i am looking forward to see the cougars finished.

[Mottles]

Hi Paul, thank you, for sharing the cougars with us and a work in progress to boot. It sounds like you have had a lot of time to think about this piece. I would keep it as simple as one can and still follow your vision. I think the burning of the fur will really help to add a fur flow pattern and dept to this carving. I like the idea of painting the cougars,
Regarding the base: just a thought you could burn in some rock cracks and even lichen (spelling) then paint the rock and lichen. If your thinking in terms of granite rock, then woodburning the rock streaks and black dots you see in granite (white granite California type anyway) then paint over it again.
Even, if this piece wasn't burned or painted, but just left with the knife and tool impressions it still would certainly be a nice piece.
Looking forward to your updates.
YES, me too I have really missed WCI too, and I'm so happy we are all back!
Kathy

[gene messer]

Paul . I love pieces like this ... What a peaceful and joyish scene to look at .. You can almost see the landscape involved ..

All the carving from the cougars to the rocks are beautiful .. I cant wait to see this one finished ..

absolutely beautiful ..

Gene

[tucker1931]

Paul, thanks for sharing a beautiful work of art. What more can be said. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm too old to go around to art galleries and besides, who needs to when it appears right in front of me in the comfort of my own home.
Cliff

[Joy]

Paul, beautiful work on the cougars. That will be a piece to treasure.

[GeorgiaCarver]

Wow, that is really excellent. You have captured the muscle tone and features extreamly well. You did some excellent research!

Greg

[Doug Ridley]

Looks like another outstanding piece to me. Excellent job!

[squbrigg]

That is a superb piece of carving Paul. I am looking forward to seeing the next step with anticipation, as the painting will bring it "alive". Great detail work.

The little "hic-cup" in WCI's site, certainly gave us pause to reflect on just how much we take for granted. The site has brought so many together and formed a family or community of friends, who all have a passion for expression, through the medium of wood. Hearing from Paul during the hic-cup was like a gift or lifeline, it kept me afloat until help arrived and the site was back up.

Bob