Native Expression

[cabinetman]

This is another early carving I did in Pine, 12" wide, 18" high, and ¾" thick. I couldn't have planned for the grain to fall as well as it did, for the face, hair, and the feather. What's great about this kind of woodwork, not a lot of expensive equipment or space is needed, just patience, and some hand tools.
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[shoottx]

Another Very Cool Project

[Uncle Cracker]

I couldn't have planned for the grain to fall as well as it did, for the face, hair, and the arrow.

Very cool... but, what arrow???

[cabinetman]

very cool... But, what arrow???

feather!!!
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[Uncle Cracker]

feather!!!
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Ahhh...

[Ed62]

Wow! You're right about the grain falling in the right places. Nice!

Ed

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[Slik Geek]

What's great about this kind of woodwork, not a lot of expensive equipment or space is needed, just patience, and some hand tools.

Uhhh, I think that you missed one of the things needed... talent. Very nice work - and certainly far better looking than what I would create.

[lrogers]

Another masterpiece! How long does it take to make a piece like that?

[SARGE..g-47]

Again.. very nice as I almost missed this one. You nailed that grain movement to the carving as you stated. Sometimes things just work out without intervention from above.

[cabinetman]

Uhhh, I think that you missed one of the things needed... talent. Very nice work - and certainly far better looking than what I would create.

The key word is patience. I might add that patience may be the sole reason that certain skills are not attainable. I had to learn that in my woodworking, and I'm still learning. I don't believe that woodworking skills are gifted skills, talent as you put it, but rather they can be learned.

It's trial and error. It took quite a while for me to develop the knack for handling hand tools. Carving is a slow progressive art form that allows an early detection when getting out of kilter. Sometimes subtle changes can get you back on track. Then there are times you want to fling it across the shop. My first attempts were a joke. What's amazing is a "feel" for the work starts to creep into your hands and you start getting predictable results. The feeling of accomplishment lasts a long time.
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[Slik Geek]

The key word is patience. I might add that patience may be the sole reason that certain skills are not attainable. I had to learn that in my woodworking, and I'm still learning. I don't believe that woodworking skills are gifted skills, talent as you put it, but rather they can be learned.

As I've worked at woodworking, the quality of my work has improved significantly. And yes, it required patience and experience (practice).

I suggest that there may be a difference between improving the quality of woodworking projects (tight joints, smooth finishes, etc.) and fine artistic touches. With time and practice, I'm sure that I could learn to control the carving tools with precision... but I'm still doubtful that my artistic abilities could ever match what you have attained.

I fear that I would only achieve the ability to efficiently and precisely create a really ugly carving!!

Nevertheless, I will grant you that I have developed a skill for making my pieces look nicer in terms of features (so I have improved beyond just technical execution), so maybe there is a latent ability that just needs to be developed.

[tribalwind]

wow..it really is incredible how well teh grain patterns worked out on this!!!
very nice