Pumpkin With a Roof

This is a Halloween carving in cottonwood bark. It is 5 inches tall. The back has been relieved to fit a tea candle inside. A flap of mat board was added to reflect the light towards the front. I tinted the pumpkin with orange oil paint. I didn't want it too orange, but I think it could be a bit more to contrast it from the rest of the carving.

 

Indian in Cottonwood Bark

I've been working hard at carving the face in bark. I was thrilled to win a best of division at the Spokane carving show.

Buffalo Shaman

In ancient times shaman was a counselor and healer. The bison provided food, clothes, and shelter for the American Plains Indians. This was a great spiritual significance. A nomadic lifestyle allowed the people to stay close to the herds. Before the hunts the tribal Shaman (religious leader) asked for strength for the hunters and success in the hunt. This is from a Rex Branson roughout. It is 9 1/2 inches tall. 

Santa Ornament

My daughter asked for a carving for a good cause she is working on, but she didn't want a cowboy. It just isn't girly enough. I bet there are some ladies who do like cowboys. They have a fashion show, lunch, and a silent action to raise money for the Women's Center.  They are putting gifts together in baskets. The wine and chocolate should go good with a santa ornament the coming holiday season. The santa is 6 inches tall and relieved in the back.

Trinket Boxes

I wanted to start out small with my chip carving using simple designs. These two boxes are from a craft store. Some of the boxes have open grain and soft wood making it hard to carve sharp edges. I don't know what kind of wood this is but I like the brown stripes. The first trinket box is 2 1/2 inches by 2 inches. I carved a 7 point rosette on the top. The second trinket box I also carved a 7 point rosette on the top. It is 3 1/2 inch by 2 1/4 inch and 2 1/4 inch tall. On all the sides I carved a double border of positive diamond with wedge cuts. It is drawn in with 4 mm squares. A fellow carver gave me this hint on holding your chip knife at the correct angle. He cut a 50 degree angle on a small piece of 3/8 inch wood so you can lay it against the blade of your knife.

  

Log House

This log house is carved in cottonwood bark. It is 6 inches tall. I wanted the roof to look like sod so I glued a piece of bark on top so the two pieces of bark are facing in different directions. I added some furniture inside the house. This carving took me back a few years when I was a kid. When I was carving this log house a lady asked how I knew were to place the logs. I told her I had played with Lincoln logs as a kid. I don't think you can even find them anymore, but it was a good learning experience growing up.

 

Elf

This carving of an Elf is from a Mark Gargac pattern. A 2 inch block was cut at a diagonal. The block was 12 inches long, so I cut it in half. I cut in the hair of the beard so it went in the cutout areas in the beard. I also painted the hair with light buttermilk. White sometimes gives a chalky look. When it dries I use a dry brush technique. I use a bristle brush and white paint. Dab most of the paint off on a paper towel. Then hit the high spots on the hair and the hat.