"Cappi"

Just finished my first "commissioned" piece. Our good friends, Darlene and Buzz, have neighbors who recently lost their long time pet Cocker Spaniel and wanted to give them something very special. Knowing how much a pet means to a person she asked if I would carve a likeness of their pet "Cappi." I was humbled that she asked me to carve their pet but I am somewhat apprehensive because I carve "caricatures." Caricature carving gives a carver a great deal of "freedom of expression" and you don't have to "stay in the lines" (so to speak).

So with trepidation, I began "Cappi"....

I choose a photo of "Cappi" that required a larger piece of wood than my usual 3"X3"X12" basswood. I also changed the type of wood. Based on the suggestions of some friends on the Woodcarving Illustrated Forum, I purchased Tupelo wood that comes in 4"X4"X12" blocks. Tupelo wood is similar to basswood but finishes better for rotary tool carving.

Overall, the finished piece is 5 1/2" long, 41/2" high and just under 4" wide.

The new size fit well with the position I selected for "Cappi."

Now to reduce the excess wood.

Below, all the "cut offs" are slide to one side for emphasis.

Then, it's carving time...

Next we put him on a base.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I want to keep my carving set-up small. I don't have the space (nor do I want the expense of a full woodworking shop layout), so I make up a base the best way I can.

Below, "Cappi" will be glued into a flat piece of wood, then "Cappi" and his base are glued to another (fancier) base from Michael's (really inexpensive).

Above are the two sections of "Cappi's" base.

Add his name to the base....

...and now, to make him come alive (gulp)...

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Here is the real "Cappi."

The real test is to see just how close I carved "Cappi" to the owners memory of him.

I'll be waiting to hear their reaction when Darlene and Buzz gives "Cappi" to his new owners!

Darlene did a great deal of undercover work for this piece. She had to get the photo (even a second one because I didn't have any real detail from the first photo). Then we had a question about the spelling of his name. She did an awesome job!

Receiving "Cappi" will be a total surprise to the owners, Bob and Linda.

My Carving Bench

As you begin to take your hobbies seriously, you refine your needs and wants as you progress. Carving is such a great hobby because you can keep it as streamlined as you like or let it grow into a full blown workshop.
The beauty of wood carving is that you can produce gratifying pieces with a blade or a host of awesome power tools.

I have to admit my carving has taken on a life of its own. I've spent a few more dollars to get to where I am but I still manage to maintain simplicity and not break the bank.

Getting back to carving in 2009 I just didn't like carving primarily with a blade. I moved up to a Dremel and I was hooked. For roughly two years, while "snowbirding" in FL, I would take out my carpenters carving bag sit outside our motor home and begin carving. My carving sessions were limited by the weather, day light and bugs!

A couple of years ago we moved and I saw some fun possibilities to take by "eminant domain" a small "foot print" of space for carving in our garage. I went to a portable camp table with a folding chair. This past summer I stepped it up. I built my own carving bench and began customizing my "carving domain."

I think I finally have my carving bench tweaked to my liking.

Above, to the left of the bench is my dust collector which connects to the table. I added a small wire shelve for goodies/attachments and a comfortable chair. I still have my Dremel at the ready however, you can see I've moved up to a MasterCarver purchased from Wood Carvers Supply, Inc.

(I'll be posting a review on the MasterCarver and my experience with Wood Carvers Supply, Inc. in a later post.)

I built the bench back in the Spring of 2012. I think I've "tweaked" it every week to date. As you know, you've got to have a space for everything. Well, except for my paint supplies, everything I need is either on or connected to the bench in one way or another.

I added a hand piece holder for ease of use but it also allows the flex-shaft to hang with no weight on it.

The Stealth hand piece fits in the bottom tube and the Detail Pro fits in the top tube. While hunting for a device to house the hand pieces I had an old landscape lawn sprinkler unit laying around. I took out the automatic head that pops up when spraying and found that the outer casing fit the Stealth hand piece. I then discovered that the inner tube will hold the new Detail Pro hand piece. I cut out sections of the tubes to allow the hand pieces to slide easily into the tubes. I held them together and screwed them to the side of my bench.

My latest addition is the plexi-glass dust surround.

The bench is only 24" X 24". Like I said, I really tried to "stay small" with this hobby. The red and clear (fishing tackle) box on the wire shelve is my carving box from the '60's. (My carving tool of choice (and price) was two Exacto knife handles and lots of blades. From there I moved up to a carpenters bag for all my carving equipment and a yellow plastic tool box for my paints (seen on the bench above).

Many of you know I mainly carve caricatures. They only run in size between 3" or 4" in diameter to 4" to 6" tall.

For electrical power, I have a power strip on the right side that runs my dust collector, light, fan, MasterCarver and Dremel with one more plug open for another gadget.

If we should take any long trips I'm able to pack my carving box and Dremel into its bag, and along with my paint box pack them in the motor home and carve on the road.

I think I've been able to continue to keep my hobby "small" yet carve in a big way.

"Weary Willie"

Most people know "Weary Willie" by his real name, Emmitt Kelly. His most well-known act is where he "sweeps out the spotlight," but in my case, I have him sweeping the spotlight under a rug.

"Weary Willie" is headed home to a most deserving person. Eileen is my brother's wife. She also loves to collect clowns.

After giving "Chesty" to my brother, the thought to carve a piece for Eileen struck me as a way of letting her know that we know and appreciate her love and support in all they do together and we're thinking her of as well. As you may recall, you know my brother's life revolves around his experience and long time roots to the U.S. Military. More than a few of his vacation trips are spent on Military bases and include as much history of the soldier as he can soak in, and Eileen is always by his side. She's heard all of his "war" stories more than once.
"Weary Willie" is a carving just for Eileen. Everything about the carving, the Power Point Program that I give with each carving and the music that "tells the story" are to tell Eileen, this is just for you. Something special for a very special woman.

"Weary Willie" is also an extremely special piece for me. He is the twenty-seventh piece I've carved since 2009. But more important, "Weary Willie" represents a giant step for me as a wood carver.
Thanks to many very elite wood carvers who frequent the Woodcarving Illustrated Forum for sharing their opinions, knowledge and support for my work, "Weary Willie" is a turning point in my carving and finishing of my work.

"Weary Willie" began as a 3"X3"X12" piece of basswood.

He stands 6 1/2" tall.

Coping "Weary Willie" out on the band saw was a handful.

Now to begin roughing him out.

While carving the "sweeping" "Weary Willie" I decided to do something different by placing him on a base. I also wanted a "carpet" for him to "sweep the spotlight" under so a wider base made sense.

I made a large surface area under his shoes to provide as much gluing surface a possible. He also needed a broom. A 1/8" dowel served the purpose and I carved out a broom.

Now to route out where his feet will go....

Then the carpet and fitting all the pieces together....

The base was then stained, "Weary Willie," the carpet and broom were painted.

Finally, with all the pieces in color, glued and sealed, here's "Weary Willie."

“…The sun's goin' down on the midway tonight

The red stripes are turning to grey

But old Emmett's still out in the big top tonight

Sweeping the spotlight away…”

 From the song: “Sweeping the Spotlight Away”

Lyrics by: Murray McLauchlin

Emmett Kelly 12/9/1898 – 3/28/1979

"Tink"

I find it difficult to carve a piece that you've already carved. You know it will never look the same and in some ways you anticipate the same issues you may have had with the first carving. I guess sometimes you've just got to give in and do the job. "Tink" is going home with a friend and I'm sure she will have a good home.

This time "Tink" is in a different position and I learned a great deal about finish prepping for paint from this piece.

Let's begin....

"Tink" is 6" tall and 3"X3" side to side.

She was a "handful" to cut out on the band saw.

I held her in place with an elastic band for this photo.

This carving was tricky to cut all sides, but it sure was worth it.

It's time to get to work....

"Tink's" arms were close to her body. A thin Exacto blade opened the space I needed to make. Then a piece of fine sandpaper completed the task.

Now for the base, sealing and color.

 

Time to package her up, sprinkle a little "Pixie dust" on her and send her home!

"Chesty's Place of Honor"

"Chesty" made the 1500 mile trek to his "new home" without a scratch. My brother Bob and his wife Eileen were told that a "package" was on its way, and were told that they had to open the package a certain way and read the letter just under the flap when they open the box.

Normally, I enjoy being present when I give a carving to someone. This time, I felt the story behind carving "Chesty" (see the previous Blog post) and giving him to my brother along with all the "hoopla" over sending and opening the box was much more fun.

They followed each direction as ordered! (What would you expect from a retired Military person who respects and honors his Service experience.) I would have enjoyed seeing their first reaction upon unwrapping "Chesty."

All you woodcarvers (or anyone who makes any craft/art) out there know and appreciate the time and creativity you put into each piece. However, unless the recipient has watched the progress of a carving he/she never fully realizes what goes into a one of a kind woodcarving. Thanks to computers, I enjoy personalizing each piece to the fullest. Each of my carvings are wrapped and placed in a small gift bag that includes a CD and my business card. I produce a Power Point Program on the CD that includes the progress of the piece and is set to music or a song that "fits" the piece and the recipient. "Chesty's" PPP song was "Some Gave All" sung by Billy Ray Cirus. As soon as I heard "Some Gave All" I knew that was it! The song itself can send that "chill" up the back of your neck. Connecting the song to "Chesty" was the "frosting on the cake."

Bob called me and we spoke for some time about the "story" of Chesty and just where will he be placed.
That was easy......

"Chesty" is center stage between the Marine and Army statuettes in a place of honor in Bob's "War Room."

Bob's first (and most life altering experiences for a guy just out of high school) was the U.S. Marine Corps. In the late '50's the "Corps" sent Bob to Okinawa. After his hitch in the "Corps" Bob just never seemed to be the 9-5 kinda guy. He enlisted in the Air Force. For some reason Bob left the AF and went to work. Our Dad did 29 years in the National Guard and I think that had something to do with Bob enlisting in the Army National

Guard. His Company was deployed to Desert Storm. After a few more years, due to his age he was "told" it's time to retire!

Throughout all his time in the Military Bob amassed a "gazillion war stories," and I think he can recall every single one of them!

Bob with "Chesty."

The photo above and to the left is our Dad. The photo above and to the right is also our Dad!

In his twentiess, our Dad was somewhat of a local celebrity. As the "Whispering Ranger" Dad volunteered  on local radio station WESX in Salem, MA

Currently, Bob himself is now somewhat of a celebrity. Bob was a drummer and early on made a huge connection with Jazz. He gave up drumming but his love of Jazz is paying back. He's on a local radio show as a host on a Marshfield, MA radio station, WATD. http://959watd.com/ talking and playing Jazz to his listeners.

(Bob loves to tell the story of where the radio station is located... WATD stands for "We're At The Dump!")

If you're a night owl you can catch Bob (on the web) every other Sunday morning midnight to five-thirty a.m.

http://959watd.com/programming/weekends/sunday/round-midnight/

I know "Chesty" is well appreciated and found an outstanding home!

Oh, in retirement Bob needed something to do to. Now, where would a guy who likes being around "everything military" just love to work?

Bob is the Armourer for the Hingham, MA National Guard..... !

Just for the record, I got the hair in the family!

A Request Fullfilled..... Finally!

In 1973 my brother gave me a set of Buck carving gouges. He asked that I make a carving for him with the set. I never did get into carving with gouges. I made a couple of relief carvings but used my Swiss Army knife and an Exacto knife and that was it. Then, in 2005 I retired and Pat and I downsized and had a huge yard sale. The Buck carving gouges found a good home that summer. Fast forward to present time and I'm into carving in a big way. As you know, in 2009 a Dremel replaced the Exacto knife and just last week, I stepped up to a Mastercarver Flex-Shaft carving system.

Above is my carving bench, vacuum system and new Mastercarver. The object of this post is standing on the center of the vacuum opening in the carving bench. That's "Chesty" the USMC Mascot Bulldog. "Chesty" (I hope) is to be added to my brother's "War Room." And after all this time, "Chesty" is going to be the surprise piece long in waiting since 1973 to be carved just for my brother, Bob.

Bob is a retired military Vet. His years in the service include the Marines, Air Force and Army Reserve. He was deployed to "Desert Storm." However, it is his Marine service that he is most proud of. As they say, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."

And so "Chesty" is the piece that I believe will have a place of honor in his "War Room."

"Chesty" started out as a 12"X3"X3" piece of basswood.

"Chesty" stands 5 1/4" tall.

"Chesty's" pose is from a picture of a lawn ornament I found on the web.

First, he's cut out on the band saw.

With some practice, I've learned to cut out the sides, front and rear by holding all of the cut pieces in place. Of course, that means I've got to be careful how I hold all the loose pieces in place... or else keep the band-aids handy!

But, when successful you can save an enormous amount of time.

Much of "Chesty" was carved with the Dremel. Work on "Chesty" was put on the shelve due to our trip north this summer.

In short order "Chesty" was beginning to look "mean."

"Chesty's" ears were not fit to represent a Marine Mascot. Time for some "surgery."

After a "painless" surgery, "Chesty" is proud of his "new" ears!

I received the Mastercarver soon after we returned from our trip north. I worked all of "Chesty's" details with the Mastercarver. It took me an hour or two to get used to the feel of the Mastercarver handpiece and foot pedal. I'm still waiting on the Detail Pro handpiece (back ordered) but the system was well worth the expense.

Now it's time for "Chesty" to "get into" his dress blues...

Sargent "Chesty" ten-hut! Inspection......

Rrrrrright face!

Rrrrrrright face!

Rrrrrrright face!

Rrrrrrrright face!

AT EASE MARINE!