Santa practice

[Joy]

I set out with two goals in mind: carve without a pattern (patterns are my safety net) and to discover "my" Santa face. I want chubby cheeks and laughing eyes.....but I haven't gotten there yet.

They are made with 1.5 inch by 5 inch practice wood I got from Smokey Mtn. for a great price. I split them diagonally. The one on the upper left is the first one I carved. When I do something I like....I TRY to incorporate it in the next one. And if you look closely, you will see my name in the beards or mustaches A little ego trip, but what the heck they are for family

[Mottles]

Hi Joy, your santas are really nice, and I think you got the chubby cheeks down. Your getting there on the eyes, and I like the nose very much. Good job on the painting too. I couldn't see your signature I'll look some more.
Kathy

[GaryMc]

Vey nice Joy! Sneaky, the way you put your name in them!
Practice is going very well I'd say!
GaryMc

[Joy]

Thanks Kathy and Gary. Gary, I think we will have to get Kathy a pair of reading glasses. She can't see my name

[DADDIO]

i like them santa cuz'es great job on the carving and painting,i'll loan kathy my glasses cause i was able to spot em!! lol now there's a miracle!! i like to just jump in there and start carving alot of times myself so i can relate somewhat to not using a patten,but i'll still fall back to them too.keep up the good work

[Jim OH]

Hi Joy,
Looks like you are about to meet your goal. Bottom right unpainted carving has smiling eyes, beard shows movement, and left cheek looks just right!
Nice work !
Jim OH

[RoadKingMN]

Those Santa's look great Joy. Very clever how you put your name in them. It reminds me of how Al Hirschfeld always put his daughter's name Nina in his drawings.

[Mottles]

Oh my gosh-------I see your signitures now, it's huge!!! I was looking for a small signature, very clever you are! Now I don't need your glasses DADDIO, well maybe....LOL
Kathy

[Kenny_S]

Sending my new glass your way Kathy!!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE

Joy, Excellent progress and from your first, which was great, to you last unpainted, A definite improvement. Love the way you put your name in the beards unders the lips. Very crafty for sure. Then to, Santa is suppose to bring "JOY", so it could be a Santa being "Joy"full.

I have carved probably 300 eye on practice boards and still have a little problems with eyes. Yours are great.

Glad you are not just keeping such beautiful carvings.

[makenchips]

Very nice Joy. I too like the way you added your name to the actual carving.