exterior sculptures

EXTERIOR   SCULPTURES.

•          EXTERIOR USE SCULPTURES – rely on basically a lot of the points I covered including sealing methods. Also the placement of the carvings is important along with support and breathing room needed for the carving to last longer.
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•        Sealing with the same method of brushing from head to toe of sculpture with a brush working in the sealant into all cracks will help prolong the life of your carving. Again I use Helmsman Spar urethane and it is a V.O.C (volatile organic compound). Meaning it may not be good on a sugar cookie, but mainly avoid breathing the vapors when applying. This sealant is designed for marine grade use, has a (U.V) ultra violet protector built in that will protect it from degrading as quickly as say varnish when exposed to daylight. Wear plastic gloves and use a respirator or dust mask to protect yourself when applying. This is the same sealant used on wooden boats exposed to harsh maritime conditions and is well proven for exterior use. Again one may use linseed or other oils to preserve that are less harmful but really fail in exterior conditions unless you apply multiple coats for an extended time. Also there is no telling what will happen to the colors you choose when applying this much oil as is needed for a proper linseed oil finish. A matte or satin finish is desired in the spar urethane to avoid whiting out the true colors of the piece as would happen with a glossy finish.
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•         Carvings if at all possible should be placed under some shelter to prolong the life of the carving. Say under the eave or an overhang of a house or an entrance way, may be desirable if you wish to keep the carving longer. Even under the boughs of a tree to shelter the carving is desirable as in the case of a pine tree. Needles falling prevent plant growth and keep the carving drier longer. Avoiding moisture is always something one should keep in mind when placing a carving.
•         Try to place your carving on something like a couple of bricks or a pile of gravel or even a stone  wider than the base of your sculpture this will help preserve your sculpture much longer than placing it directly on the ground.
•         Avoid placing your carving in damp areas where you know moisture is going to be a problem.
•        Even though the carving is placed outside again only coat the carving when it needs it . to soon it will begin to accumulate to much of a skin of sealant obscuring the beauty of the wood.  
• Insect pests are always a consideration when buying a carving. you should constantly check for insect damage as rotting wood becomes a natural retreat for all insects. Spraying with a common household insect killer will usually eliminate the problem . Be vigilant and check . Also avoid placing a carving known to have insect infestation close to your home to avoid infestation of your own home. It may be wise to treat a carving irregardless of whether there is infestation or not. Just be weary of paint discoloration and use a spray lightly but apply more often.
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•      Leaving a stump to carve still attached to the roots will prevent someone from stealing your carving but it also hastens the deterioration of the carving as the water is still transferred for some time after the live portion of the tree is removed. I feel it is sometimes better to mark the stump and cut it off , then carve it, place back on stump after gorilla gluing it back to the base. This will result in a longer lasting carving. 
•       Taking your carvings inside in the winter is always a good idea where it is feasible. They are heavy but it is a good time also to seal the carving if it is needed.
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•         Preventing your carvings from being stolen is also a problem and I intend to offer up a few solutions that may work for you as a consumer to protect your investment. There is no length that people will not go to steal a carving if they so desire. I have had a few lost that way.
•         Avoid placing mulch around the base instead elevate the carving and just put the mulch equal with the height of the base to prevent deterioration.
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     These are all suggestions on caring for your exterior carvings. Next time I post I will begin to go through a reconstruction process of an old carving, including reattachment of a broken piece and repainting and finishing of the carving. I am trying to be brief in my explanation so that one may use it as a guide to new or older carvings. At this point I will begin to explore the more technical reconstruction process. As technical as carvers can make it anyhow.