"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.