finishing out the year

Christmas has come and gone for another year, all the excitement and anticipation is now over and everyone is now focused on the upcoming new year. But before the year ended I got some carving time in and carved these two solely based on the idea of twisting the cap, because for me all it takes is a small idea to get me started. Once the cap was carved I then proceeded to detail the beard.

Many have commented about the way I carve the mustache and the beard of my characters, some have even challenged me to carve a curlier beard and so for these two I did. The first one I gave it just a bit more curl but nothing to extreme. Then for the second one I pondered the idea of not only putting the curl in the cap but also in the beard and so I did just that. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the overall response to both carvings once they were painted and the finish was applied.

I hope those of you who frequent my blog enjoy the newest carvings and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration. May I be the first to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year.

 as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"

finishing out the carvings and year

This past week I got a few more carvings done, two in bass wood and two in butternut. I have made some changes to the way I paint and the finish I apply and with these changes I am happier with the look of the bass wood than the butternut. I like the grain in butternut but since I paint most of my carvings anymore I believe butternut no longer compliments my style of carving and painting, or should I say my style of carving and painting doesn't compliment butternut wood. I have a small box of wood left but once it's empty my time spent carving butternut may be as well.

For those that don't know it I recently after a few carvers and years of nudging gave Howard's Feed n Wax finish a try and I have to say I really love the finish it gives my carvings. With the way I paint a watered down color then applying this finish I am extremely happy with the look of my carvings. Mostly my bass wood ornaments and other bass wood carvings, though truth be told at this time of the year ornaments are about all I am carving.

So from my family to yours I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

and as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"

Christmas carvings

Haven't posted much lately so here are a few more pieces I have gotten carved for the Christmas season. I will carve more and will make an effort to share more in the coming weeks and months but for now please enjoy these and Have a Very Merry Christmas.

as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"

corny carvings one and all

 Since the first ear of corn I have had fun with the idea and the design of these little guys. In the first image you can see the progression from the first to my most recent, front to back. I will not say this will be my last by any stretch of the imagination. I guess my Nebraska roots are showing through because between carving the little pumpkins or carving the ears of corn, I just seem to gravitate to the corn. Don't get me wrong the pumpkins are fun but the corn, yeah. It's funny how so many like the pumpkins but some have been confused by the ears of corn carvings, I just tell 'em it's a Nebraska thing.

as always, 

"Good Night and May God bless"

So he is now painted and a finish has been applied. He turned out to be a fun piece hope you enjoy.

as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"