I need opinions please

[wildhare]

This piece of drift wood has been sitting on my desk for some time now. Haunting me. I knew there was something there. the curls and twist really called to me. This morning after much coffee, I sat looking at it again. I looked away and out my window where my husbands sailboat, (was his Dad's) sits and then I got it.

Kind of spooky, as I was carving with my knife, it made a eeee eeek sound on the wood.

Do I need someting in the middle or leave it as it is?

Do I finish only the dolphins and leave the rest?

Do I add a hint of blue to the rest for water or would that ruin the stylized look?

Do I need to cut back on coffee?

Wanda

[wildhare]

Here is the way it looks right now.

[Dan Wegiel]

Wanda, first things first, get off the coffee! Your piece is going to be terrific, in my opinion leave it natural. Are you going to have the dolphin on the left side of the pic bent around to come in contact with the tail?

[Dan Wegiel]

I can see at least 2 more in there.

Dan

[wildhare]

Dan, my coffee is so weak, I'd have to drink 3 cups to make one like they recommend.

The one on the left is in a very fragile part of the wood. I intended it to be two dolphins, one coming up and one going down. Maybe this photo shows the different angles.

[wildhare]

Where do you see the other two? I see one on top between the two in the curve?
Wanda

[Dan Wegiel]

You already see the one in the middle, I also see one underneath the one on the right. The last pic you sent is where I see the tail very plainly. I think the one in the center could be real cool due to the curve, he's almost there now, I'm sure you'll carve him/her out. Let us know when you get it done.

Dan

[Rooster]

Can't be sure, but I think I saw a whale somewhere on the bottom of the piece. Can't remember which it is, but possibly the hump back whale or the one whose name might get flagged for indecency.

I remember watching a program on whales and dolphins a couple of months ago. A flock of sea birds (not sure which) would spot a school of fish(herring I think). Dolphins (possibly Bottlenose) would see the birds and head in that direction. The dolphins would circle the fish, pushing them towards the surface. The whale (don't know how he got there) takes (huge) mouthfuls, and the dolphins take any that try to get away. Then the birds dive into the water cause the fish are so close to the surface. Pretty amazing teamwork really. As you can see I'm not great on the minor details!

The dolphins that you did just reminded me of that. I think the birds may be a bridge too far though.

Just a thought.
Rooster.

[wildhare]

Thanks Rooster, I think I saw a similar program on our animal planet channel.

I have a photo we took on our way back to Galveston Texas. Dozens of dolphins jumped and splashed and sang. Of course, all I got was heads and tails and splashes where one was.

Come to think of it, mostly splashes and tails.
Wanda

[Kenny_S]

Definitely needs water. Use a #11 4 and 2 veiner to creat water around the dolphins, Like they were coming out of the water and creating wave like.

Looks great though.