Orange Bird is a favorite of our next "One of a Kind Wood Carving" Recipient. However, with a little help from another co-Cast Member, I tweaked Orange Bird just a tiny bit. Audra loves the Cleveland Indians and can't resist Tacos.
Here's how Orange Bird worked up....
Trying something new here. I've decided to make a paper template rather than sketch the piece directly onto the front of the wood blank. It dawned on me that it's much easier to correct an image and cut it out on hard paper stock than the actual piece of wood. The heavier paper stock of a cereal box works great.
Once the outline is satisfactory, the piece is ready for the band saw.Due to his head being a rather large orange, I'll need to add his beak!
The band saw makes quick work of most of the excess wood.
Now the piece is ready to be "roughed out." By now many of you know I carve with a MasterCarver rotary tool. (Much like a dental drill.) This stage of the piece can appear pretty rough. At first a very course burr is used so care must be taken so as not to remove too much wood.
As the piece begins to take more definition, smaller and finer burrs are utilized.
Now the fun begins, we can begin to work out the details of the piece.
Oops! After a closer look at his photo, I notice his feet were incorrect. A wedge was needed to fill the large gap between his toes.
Orange Bird needs a bucket to hold all the Tacos he enjoys!
Three Tacos are prepared for him; one in his hand and the others in his bucket. (Not to mention just how many are in his belly!)
Finally, the piece is rubbed/smoothed prior to adding paint.
All the pieces are sealed and ready to come alive with color.
Orange Bird's Disney trademark of course.
The Cleveland Indians logos.
Hi Bucket of Tacos! He's all set to be sent home with his new owner.
The Taco Lovin' Indians Fan, Orange bird!
