Frank, the recipient of this piece is a Disney Tour Guide. He has the good fortune to assist many very special guests and over the years he's met and become quite close to celebrities that we can only dream of meeting. The idea for "Voices For Generations" is from Ken, our coordinator. Once Frank was identified to be the next carving recipient, Ken provided me with an idea that truly made this project a must do piece. For nearly a dozen years, Frank was the Guide for a wonderful couple who just happened to be a big part of the Disney Legacy. Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor, the voices of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Frank's relationship with them grew over time and they became Frank's most enjoyable and memorable couple to host. (A simple search on the internet will tell their beautiful story.)
"Voices For Generations" began as a 4" X 8 X 31/2" block of tupelo. I decided to make the two famous mice out of a single block of tupelo which meant each piece had to be smaller and more intricate. With photos from the web, sized to fit the wood, I traced the cut outs onto the blank.
From there it was trimming on the bandsaw.
Of late, I've begun cutting off the drawings with the band saw leaving them thick enough to allow me to trim them to redraw the image onto the blank. When a character/object is carefully cut and trimmed, I'm able to use the template for the back and front of the blank enabling me to keep the "lines" of the piece from front to back.
With the image on the blanks it's possible to "guesstimate" where to remove bulk wood to begin the process of roughing out the characature.
This is the reverse usage of the template.
Mickey is beginning to shape up (so to speak).
Soon, we're making quick progress.
It's Minnie's turn!
Being a good companion, Mickey took special interest in Minnie's progress.
Minnie needed just a bit of "surgery!" Due to some rushing on the part of this carver, Minnie's right arm and hand were somewhat misshapen... so, off with her arm! To boot, her right ear was also in need of care.
As you can see, the "surgery" went well and the two will live "Happily Ever after" ...as they say!
I guess Mickey and Minnie had as much fun going through this project as I did!
Oh, about their tails... their tails are curled up under their clothes.
Minnie and Mickey are ready to share a long term pose to honor two people who made them come alive and become a part of the lives for generations of people of all ages.
"Voices For Generations"
