Carving a Woodspirit in the snow

[Colin-Partridge]

Well I promised this lady I would do her carving before Christmas. She has people coming from overseas and wanted it to be done before they arrived. We have had snow every day here for about three weeks now. Today was cold but not snowing so I set out with my scaffold to at least start her tree.
The tree is a Dutch Elm every one of them here in Ontario, Canada eventually surcome to the Dutch Elm desease. This one had been dead for a few years so it was pretty hard. Elm after it has been down can be like carving cement. Having said that it does take great detail. This is just the roughing out stage I hope to return tomorrow should the weather let me and finish it up. Robbin talked me into carving in the cold he carves all winter. He said to just dress warm and it is no problem. Well not if your 23 years younger than I am. I was up on that scaffold for five hours and I am just thawing out now. I will keep you posted on the progress hopefully tomorrow. Comments and critique always welcome as this is just the roughing out stage and I can still change anything.
Colin

[Kenny_S]

Looks great Colin. I never get tired of lookingb at your carvings.

[Ron T]

Hi Colin,

He's coming along very nicely. I have to give you credit carving in the snow like that. I sure wouldn't be able to.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Sounds like fun looking good as well, Do you have any dimensions for us?

Since you asked for it here it is, I would add more flow to the beard make a shallow semi circle gouge across his beard to give the indication of a jaw line underneath the hair, it will looks like it is hanging off his jaw. Another spot I would deepen his forehead and make it a little flatter, to me it looked pointy.
Again I will not that you did ask for it , good luck carving in the cold and thank you for taking the time to post this.
Carl

[DADDIO]

love it colin i know she'll be tickled to have it ready in time for company,plus i nominate you for the dedication of the the year award!!!! to cold for me my friend, to be carving out in that weather... you the man!! lol great job

[Irishman]

I've been wondering where you've been Colin - thought you put away the power saw with all this white stuff coming down. My first take on your carvings had me see a sort of saintly figure emerging...like an apostle or something. He is certainly a big looking fellow. Of all the raw woods, I have never carved elm. I guess I'll have to get up to Ontario and carve up a few logs sometime. Great carving Colin.
Patrick

[mateo]

Way to be a trooper, Colin. I always like your spirits. This one does look bigger than some of your others. Sure is a shame about those Elms. Mine are in no better shape, here on the farm. I go right to em when I'm mushroom hunting though.
Matt

[Colin-Partridge]

Thanks for the comments Carl I dont know about the jaw line I will have to think on that but as for the forehead you are right on. As I said this is just at rough out stage. I will make that correction tomorrow if we dont get snow tonight and post it. I always like your comments everyone even if I dont use them doesnt mean I dont take them into consideration and use it on future carvings. Patrick I dont know about the saintly figure maybe your right I havent changed at all on this carving because the lady saw one of my carvings in Orangeville Ontario and wanted one as close as I could get it to the one I carved there. Sure hope I can carve tomorrow but they are calling for wind chills of -15. Its the wind that kills you not the cold it cuts thru you like a knife.
Stay tuned for the next phase whenever that will be
Colin

[Rwenzoski]

Hi Colin, Hey just because I carve in the cold dont mean an old fella like you has to! The spirit is looking good & they seem to be getting bigger & more flowing all the time! Good to see you pushing the limits! It looks as if we have way more snow here than you have up there. Looking forward to our next visit, keep up the great work & keep that heater going in that old Toyota!
Thanks, Robbin

[Joy]

He is looking super. The only thing that bothered me was that short tuff of hair on top. He looks like he was having a bad hair day. His face looks really good.