[susieq]

This was to be my entry in the state fair this past spring but he was not going to be finished in time without my rushing the job and thus probably messing him up so I put him aside until later on. I have resumed work on him and got about 16 hours worth of carving in on him this weekend.

There are still many accessories to finish on him yet, plus he will be mounted on a base, carosel style with a decorative post from his belly to the mahogany base. I hope to put a pipe in his mouth, a candy cane in one hand and there will be a jack in the box riding on the pig in back of santa, looking back the way they came. His feet are just stuck in for now, they are not attached yet.
Haven't even started the jack in the box yet.

Pig is 8 inches from nose to tail and the piece without the post or base is 10 inches tall.....

[susieq]

Here are some close ups of a few of the details.....

[Jim OH]

That is going to be an outstanding carving. Santa's beard really enhances the idea of movement. Can't wait to see it finished! Detail is terrific!
Jim OH

[susieq]

Thanks Jim,
I love doing wild beards on my santas. This one isn't textured yet. That is the last thing I do usually just so the detail doesn't get mashed down during handling. The stocking cap was a change in design mid-stream. After receiving my copy of Ian Norbury's book, I was inspired to go a little extra and changed him from a boring hooded santa to the stocking cap flying out behind. Added the wood for the long part and recarved the head area to reflect hair sticking out from under a cap, more work but well worth it, I think.
susieq

[gene messer]

Susie ... I totally agree with JIm ... That is going to be one wonderful carving ..

Your Santa and pig are fantastic just in the raw ... I can just imagine what their going to looked like with your painting touch ..

That Beard is a eyecatcher ... and the way it flow's to the back of the face indicating movement is so unique ..

I have seen this carving done in show's by several very good carvers and Susie ... You definately got a great looking piece here ..

By the way ,, love the Pig's expression ..

Thanks for sharing ..

Gene

[Kenny_S]

I am agreement with Jum and Gene. Totally awesome! Waiting on the finish carving.

[MDWine]

I just cannot wait to see this painted...

EXCELLENT! (you do such nice work)

[doris]

hi :-) i am usullly not much of a santa-lover, but this one is so terrific, i want come in and say hello and i like your work very much... love the flying beard, ad the softly twisted hat, and love that pig too, the knuckes on its knees for example, just marvoulous ... you made the design for the piece yourself too, right ? and if so, can you please expand a little how you do that ? thanks for sharing, this is lovely work

[susieq]

Thank you for the very kind words,
Gene, you say you have seen this carving done before??? Because he is my own pattern. I have done him twice before in a smaller size but I have never seen one done by someone else....oh well, more than one person can have the same idea.....

Doris, I simply sketched the santa on the pig in profile then drew an outline around it leaving about half an inch from the actual sketch to allow for changes and rounding over the piece. Then I find a board thick enough or as in this case, laminate several thicknesses together, and cut out the side profile on the bandsaw. From there it is all free hand carving.....

I am struggling to finish him in time for a gallery date in November. Not sure I will make it....
Thanks again for the compliments.
susieq

[Coffeeman]

Susie....Just beautiful!!! the details are fabulous and I can't wait to see the finished piece, excellent pig details too. Bill