Serpent Staff completed

[dnstehly]

I told the story of the development of this piece in a WIP thread but chose to show the finished piece where it more rightfully belongs, with Stick and Cane Carving. If you wish to view the beginning of the piece you will find it at http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f61/special-serpent-staff-wip-34350/. The 41 in. timber rattlesnake (dark phase) on a 53 in. staff was carved from a yellow poplar log of 6 in. diameter. A side branch provided for the extended head. The fangs are polished bone. The mushroom at the top is the central feature of my logo that I normally burn onto all of my carvings. Above the grip area there is a carved thorny vine and below the grip area are carved oak leaves and acorns. The mushroom, vine, and leaves remain natural while the remainder of the staff is stained a dark walnut. The snake is painted with acrylics and the final finish to all is a flat alkyd resin varnish. I hope you enjoy seeing this piece and the story of its development.

[torpidhummer]

David,do n't ever leave that stick laying around in tall grass,it would frighten everyone that walked it out of their wits. Absolutely very well carved it looks very real. Thanks for sharing your projects.
Osc ar

[squbrigg]

Beautiful work!!! The detail is amaizing. That is a serious piece of carving and I enjoyed the step by step process. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

Bob

[JJireh]

Gorgeous as usual David! I love it.

[kev.b]

David why do i shiver everytime i see one of your snake sticks up close?....the wife won't even look at them now they are THAT real!
I swear one day you will be out walking and pick up a stick with a real snake wrapped around it and not notice the difference....then you'll be sorry
credit to you my friend your work is amazing!!!!

[carver33]

Fantastic job. I sure wouldn't want to turn around and see you standing there with that staff - I'd probably have to do some laundry.

[Ron T]

Hi David,

I was wondering where you've been lately. It is always a treat to see one of your new works. It's an inspiration to me.

[Waitpinga Whittler]

What can I say that hasn't already been said David? Brilliant work mate! I went to your WIP link to see the process and it has helped my understanding of how its done. The techniquie of making the bone fangs were especially interesting. I was wondering how on earth you could shape and polish things so small.

I also appreciated seeing how you use the burning tool. You could almost get away without painting. The burn highlights really look great. What pyrography system do you use?

It must have been a bit of a disappointment/frustration to hit grain issues so late in the piece's develoment and have to shorten the snake. Your origial flow was great but you've managed to 'save' it with some very skillful improvisation.

Thanks again for going to all the trouble of posting this stuff for us mere mortals....

[Robson Valley]

I might have taken a shot at that before I realized what it was. Ugh!
I do admire quality when I see it. That's a collector's piece.

[idigjars]

That is amazing and gorgeous work. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing with us. Paul