[Colin_Partridge]

Hi Gang,
I just got in I have been carving all day. Other than the black flies not much bothering me as I carve in this estate. These are two of three carving the client wants carved in some of the tree's on his property. to his wife today she wants some more so looks as if I am going to be busy. These are both in red pine tree's, I would guess the tree's are probably better than 40 feet tall with a diameter of about two feet or better. As you can see by the one tree it is comletly hollow on the inside. I decided to make the hole his mouth but not sure that I like the dark wood under his bottom lip. So I am toying with carving a tongue coming out of his mouth to hide the rot. The tongue that is in the picture was just a piece of wood I had carved off of the tree and stuck in to see if I liked the effect. The carved tongue will be bigger and much better carved. So what do you think? Would you stick a tongue in or leave it the way it is. These are just in the rough out stage there is a lot more detail to go in them yet.
Thanks for looking and I always enjoy comments good or bad its how I learn I never take offence.
Colin

[Ron Davidson]

Hey buddy you are quite the busy guy since spring has sprung. Keep up the good work.
Ron

[Joy]

Gee, I'm not sure I would like to look at a guy sticking his tongue out all the time (although in New Zealand that is a warrior's pose to scare the enemy ). But I agree the dark wood is ugly. Could you carve a lower lip with some beard attached to fit in the hole? I'm sure you will come up with something that looks like it belongs there.

I really admire your large wood spirits. I haven't gotten that brave yet.

[workinforwood]

So when you say live tree, the tree isn't dead although it's rotten in the middle? If you carve a perfectly normal living tree, wouldn't it kill the tree? Or does the tree live on since you haven't completely girdled it? And if the tree does live, won't it start curly round to heal itself?
OH...the carving looks good to me, rot or not. It's an evil woodspirit from davy jones' locker with critters down his throat. So I suggest some coral or a starfish stuck to the side of the head.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey Colin, that looks like a hungry tree to me, how about half a squirrel in his mouth lol

[Blinky Bill]

Might I suggest that as this spirit looks somewhat angry/hungry, that you could use the arm and hand of an unwary traveller?
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you Mr Partridge, for your tutorial on Wood Spirits in WCI.....prior to seeing that, I avoided human faces "like the plague" because of their complexities. But after following your demo. I have lost my fear and am now using spirit faces in my walking sticks etc. Still have a long way to go, but I'm on my way thanks to you and WCI.
My biggest regret is that I waited too long to start using this forum....in summer 2004 I spent about 12 weeks in Moncton without knowing just how many carvers were in NB and that I might have been able to visit
Thanks for sharing
John

[Colin_Partridge]

I am sure the tree will die at some point because it is hollow in the middle. But this tree even with the middle rotted out is a very healthy tree. The other tree is fine no rot at all. The tree will probably be ok although there are no garantees I have carved many of these tree's and most are healthier looking now than before they were carved. You are right as long as the tree is not girdled all the way round it will heal just like you would if you cut yourself. The carving will be the scar on the tree. Regardless it is the customers call and he wanted them done. But as long as you dont disturb the sap flow seems they fare very well. Yes the bark will eventually fold over a little but most times it really enhances the carving. Thanks for the comments and questions there were probably a lot of people afraid to ask. I will update the carvings as they progress.
Colin

[windsong]

You could carve the beard and then darken the beard to match the mouth anyway i think you do a agreat job.
Vic.

[MelNM]

You could carve a tongue, I would think covering most of the dark area would make ithe tongue look better Colin. Other than that I always liked your tree spirits. I'm going to do one in the back yard someday, thats my wifes idea.

You could also put a perch like a bird house. Hey! how bout a pipe.
Now I'm getting carried away
Sorry
Mel

[Colin_Partridge]

Mel that is not a bad idea I will carve a pipe and a tongue and see what looks best. See this is the best place to be now I have something else to try.
Colin