Sharing my woodcarving journey, by Nate Elarton
I finished this older lady in cotton wood bark last week. The emphasis was working on wrinkles and making lady features. This week I worked on the Native American in bark too. Work on the eyes and also trying to get the headress, but its up a little high. I sure enjoyed these two pieces and carving.
The Native American was carved by my late teacher and friend Marty Eddinger. I fixed a broken piece for his brother, and put a coat of finish on it.
The Second man is just a fun project I did.
The Spartan soldier was carved for a friend.
Enjoyed carving, the quiet, peace and solitude.
Here is my Green man in basswood in one leaf. I did a progression of it. I enjoyed carving it a lot. On to the next project!
I am trying to carve spoons, but that is trickier than I thought! I love the cherry, and the beauty of the grain and color. Here is pic of a couple and then I am working on a spirit face so and I am trading it for an ambrosia spoon from a spoon carver on instagram.
I have big carving goals at Christmas, but never seem to get all those projects done. I have spent increased time in the shop and got a few done. A sunflower for my daughter and a mountain man, personalized for my father-in-law. I have also tried my hand at some more spoon carving. It is hard than I thought, but I am determined to keep at it, as wooden spoons are pretty cool. Here are some pics.
Our woodcarving group had an all-day carve a last weekend. We carved from 10-4. We did a Christmas ornament from a DVD by Mark Gargac, a great carver. Always a great time carving with some amazing friends, and good food. We also worked on some of other projects too. Love this group.
I entered the local art show here at the library submitting two carvings. I did not know what to expect or how it even worked. It was a great experience for sure.
The highlight of the day was having my daughter surprise me and she drove from Flint to come to the art show. She really blessed me more than the show for sure. Have my daughter and wife with me was the greatest.
The Green Man in Cottonewood bark won an Honorable mention and the “Purchase Award”. The Bedford Arts Council, gives 2 of those out. They buy the piece and display it at the library forever I guess. I took the check and ordered more cottonwood bark from BC, Canada. It was fun and I was honored. The fisherman was also entered and will be displayed with all the other art the next 3 weeks.
I have been working on this green man for awhile. It has been a patient endeavor as I detail the leaves. I love the way the thickness of bark, brings it all forward. I am considering entering it into an local art show here in Temperance, Mi.
I am working on this green man getting my inspiration from my favorite carver Alec Lacasse. I have never done leaves. I’m taking my time. I feel I have done better on the eyes. I used a pic by Alec and the book by Jeff Phares on eyes. I just got Ron Adamson’s DVD “The Eyes Have It” in the mail today so I am pretty happy about that.
I finished Geronimo. I wish I would have not touched him with paint. Well, what is done is done. Basswood was OK, but not as nice as doing faces in cottonwood bark.
