WWI soldier carving

Carved this guy yesterday and I was so happy with how he was coming along I went ahead and painted him up yesterday afternoon. I carved him to honor my grampa who served in WWI He then returned home after his time in the service to become a successful farmer. I always remember him in his coveralls and his cigars so of course my soldier was given a smoke. This has to be the smallest cigar I have carved and painted to date. The soldier was carved from a 1" piece of bass wood and carved on the corner. 

as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"

latest carvings fini

For your viewing pleasure a few of my latest efforts, all carved from 1" block. To see a video of my painting technique go to;
https://www.facebook.com/cartoons2carvings. I paint a watered down acrylic and have been extremely happy with my results as of late.

as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"

three of my latest

Three of my latest, just some carving doodles. My family and I spent some time on the family farm in WV and I got some time to carve. The civil war soldier on the right was carved before the trip and he has had a finished coating applied and the other is unfinished as he will be painted along with my newest engineer. Didn't want you to think I am not getting anything done.

as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"

practice, practice. practice

As of late the painted study sticks have kept me busy. This whole thing started as a way for me to get some time in practicing facial features and then one day I decided I would paint one just to see how that would look, from there it has taken on a life of its own.




I now have wood carvers who have requested a painted study stick and now have begun to do somewhat of a custom order. With these the carvers have requested what I start with on top of the study stick such as a pilot, sea captain or an engineer. It has even been suggested that I may try a chef as well. Sometimes you just don't know which direction things will lead but if you are open to the opportunities you never know what you may be doing next. After all it's all started as a way of practicing facial feature, the more I do hopefully the better I become, now at times I am getting paid to practice.

As always, 

"Good night and May God bless"