"Boots"

Finally, I finished "Boots" way back in April but I held off posting it on the blog until I had given the piece to its next owner. Well, we finally took the drive north to hand "Boots" to Dawn.

"Boots" was actually started at the same time I started "Eeyore." The plan was to let Angela (Eeyore's owner & the previous carving in this Blog) to think I was working on "Boots" for Dawn (her daughter).

At the outset, "Boots" seemed fairly easy to "rough out" and get the basic shape.

The basic shape was coped out and I put the Dremel to work.The "Boots" took shape quickly, but as the saying goes, "the devil is in the details." Cowboy boots have stitching and seams. That's where I let the burrs "fool" your eyes.

The seams were easy.

The stitching was trickier! However, Dawn has a pair of "Antique cowgirl boots" to add to her western motif!

Oh bother!

My next piece, "Eeyore" was a bit more tricky to carve than I thought. "Eeyore" is Pat's Sister, Angela's favorite Disney character. The only catch with "Eeyore" was that he was a total surprise for Angela. I devised a plan to be carving another piece so that I'd be able to keep "Eeyore" a secret. (The next piece will be a surprise for someone else. Once I've given it to the person, I'll post the story on our blog.)

As always, "Eeyore" started out with a drawing and some rough cuts.

Then, more wood reduction and you begin to see him taking shape.

"Roughing" "Eeyore" was fast... until I needed to work toward his belly!

It was soon evident that I'd need to consider removing his "base" so I could shape the inner area of his legs and belly. You'll notice that "Eeyore's" tail is to be standing up and not supported by his backside. That meant I'd need to support his tail with a "bridge" to his backside or it would surely break.

Nearly finished, I mated him to his new base.

At last, "Eeyore" is ready to be "brought to life!"

I'm sure "Eeyore" will be safe and sound and right at home with his new owner, Angela!

"Megara"

Carving "Megara" was a new and exciting challenge for me. "Megara" is the frst human figure I would attempt to carve. "Megara's" sultry and slender shape would leave me scratching my head during more than a few carving sessons. "Roughing" her out was not all that difficult but her voluminous flowing hair, although tricky, turned out to be the "key" to make her look like herself.
"Megara" is gifted to a good friend and wonderful person I work with. It just so happens that her name is "Meg" as well. The fun part of giving a "One of a Kind" carving to someone is when you find just the right subject to make for them. However, the best reason to give a hand made piece is that you're giving something to someone that no one else has that may well be in their lives forever. In this case as in my last three carvings, each person had a Disney character they truly like and perhaps sees more than a little bit of themselves in each character.
"Megara" started out like every carving, a block of basswood. First a drawing is sketched out to give the carver a front and/or rear view to allow the carver to "rough cut" the bulk of wood.

Above, "Megara is drawn on the front and rear.

With a coping saw you can cut out large "slabs" to help reduce the bulk.

Here "Megara" is beginning to take shape. I leave the areas to be thinned (arms and sash) thick so she can be handled without worrying about breaking them off.

Now the fun begins. You start to reduce the shape and size and the figure begins to show it's own "personality."

But, what do you notice? For days, I pondered over her right arm while carving the rest of her. If you take a good look at "Megara's" right arm, her upper arm is considerably longer than the forearm. I finally deceided "surgery" was in order. I removed her "deformed" arm above the elbow and the wrist.

Boy, did I have a difficult time making that first cut! Using a toothpick, I made "dowels" to fit into the upper arm and the wrist at the hip. Then, with the help of "Elmer" (glue that is), her "new" arm was fitted into place.

In a way, her "new" arm resembles Roman wrist armour!

At last the surgery was a success and with a bit of carving "Megara" was ready for her final trimming and shaping prior to painting.

 

Above, "Megara" is finish sanded and given a delicate brushing to prep her for her transformation from a sanded piece of wood to a "One of a Kind Carving."

All but "Megara's" face and protective coat are complete.

Here is "Megara"...

Her "signature" hair and sultry stance belie her strength and determination. She is born of Ancient Gods and a story for all of time.

I began working on "Megara" months ago. I never count the hours I work on a piece. Instead, I plan out "stages" to complete each session of carving. By working a lengthy piece in "stages" I can "control" the patience needed to complete a carving. I must admit, getting to the point of final sanding and shaping gives me a huge boost psycologically. I see the end in sight and I can slow down to render the piece with color and "life"... and enjoy the fruits of my labor.