2-09-2012-birth of a bird

      this is a bird i carved for some friends close by. my sister had asked me to carve based on what they asked for. a heron type bird. i will narrate as i go along placing pics in blog. the first pic is fuzzy but i wanted to include it in selection. sorry folks not every time you take a pic , it is going to be good. as i usually do with most carvings i have an idea in my mind as to how i am going to carve the object i am supposed to. if i don't. it will probably end up a bear or a piece of firewood. 

     i generally start from the head down locating the head in center and roughing out or blocking in the main features. for drying purposes , i intentionally left the head in one side of the log off center so that when it dried it would not split and crack. also on the body i try to take out wood in different areas to lighten the carving and reduce the splitting that occurs with carving a monolithic piece of wood such as this. splitting and cracking will occur irregardless what i do , but it can be controlled somewhat by doing certain things when carving. dry seasoned wood already cut to the length you need may be the most advantageous thing you can do. im currently cutting on 3plus year wood i acquired.try to stand on end as you dry if possible. i will try to point out hints as we go along describing the sculpture. 

    after cutting the head and shaping the body i proceed on down and carve the hole behind the legs lightening the statue and helping with the drying of the statue. try not leaving a large mass except in main body area to pull apart. air can move freely in and around statue allowing for even drying. always check for cracks developing as you go along and make sure if possible to carve an area of cracking in anon essential position. . example: beak area needs to be free of cracks , by looking at end of log before carving try to locate beak in most stable area, which has fewest cracks. cracks no matter how large can be fixed . it is not the end of world. also i extended the tail feathers down to the base to add support to the overall structure and to give legs added strength. 

     usually after i finish cutting i will do some grinding and take off hairs or fuzzys, then i let him set in the  air and dry , as it opens the  pores in the wood  to paint i use. i use artist oils in a liquid medium of thinner or some other thinning agent. as long as it doesnt change the color. the thing i like about oils is that they along with the sealer will extend the carvings life by preserving the wood.  i have seen acrylics and have used also. i like them on wood but like the idea of preserving the wood longer and filling the pores with lasting pigment. some areas i will intentionally do a wash on allowing the grain to be seen through the paint if it enhances the carving. sometimes it calls for solid paint. depending on what you are doing.

     after applying the eyes and with those i normally use marbles,but in the birds' case i was forced to use beads from local craft store that were ceramic and glossy. only problem was they had a hole in them . but i drill a hole with drill the size of the bead and angle it slightly downward and insert bead with no glue and align hole in bead to side of hole leaving a rounded eye. you can see how after i get to this stage these animals seem to have a mind of their own sticking their beaks into my business. i will seal the sculpture with spar urethane . spar urethane is the same outdoor use sealant they have used for years on the exterior hulls of boats. it is marine grade and has ulra violet protection to preserve the finish from drying and cracking. 

       at this point i usually like to take the one last trip to new owner as it so wild to drive down the road with the animals and bears and birds, as all people slow and stare as you drive along . i have been given a lot of thumbs up and enjoy this part of trying to do a good job. 

      in some ways it is much more than if i get anything for these carvings . it is knowing i did the best i could do , and as katherine hepburn would add, " and if that isnt good enough then everyone will have to wait till i can do it better."