Sharing my woodcarving journey, by Nate Elarton
I’ve had a couple evening free and took advantage by spending some time in the carving shop as well as Saturday carving with another great carver and friend Dean. Spring seems to heighten my desire to carve. Here are a couple pics of what I was working on. I am working on a Native American Chief with a head dress and there will be a lot of feathers on it so I was practicing that. Looking forward to more carving.
I tried to make a guy kind of smirky. I don’t think its very realistic even though it is ok. I want to get into more expressions.
The first couple pics are a Native American I am working on. I will do a head dress and hair tie and/or feather. This was a great piece of Cotton Wood bark from BC Canada.
Looking forward to more time in the shop.
After a little of no carving through Christmas. I spent some time in the shop. I finished like a couple gifts for Christmas. Here are a few of the pieces I finished.
The carving on the left was one of my better faces especially the nose and below the mouth. He is a pretty stern looking dude.
My next project I tried to carve from picture of this actor. I have had the pic awhile and always looked at it. I finally decided to give it a try. My son says I should do it like 5 times and see the improvement and the observations I would gain. I may. I see many things I missed as I study it. But it was still an enjoyable project nonetheless. I am getting low on bark so need to put an order in for the winter carving. I may have more time as no yard work and I won’t be able to walk or ride mountain bike. Carving on .
I am not sure if I will put this on my Etsy store. Here is a link to that. Click here
With the help and encouragement from my daughter I started an Etsy shop. Sold 3 carvings. Honestly, I feel a little weird about selling them. Not sure they were good enough yet. I have so much improving and learning to do, but 3 sold. I won’t lie to you, I was pretty happy and excited. Going to order more cottonwood bark from Canada for Winter carving.
Here’s the link Nate’s Wood Sculpting Etsy Store
My Daughter encouraged me to open an Etsy shop as she believed my carving were sellable. I did last week, and have sold 3 already.
Here is it.
This guy has been a blast to carve. I, again, tried to slightly turn the head. I have worked on the nose more since the last pic. I cut down the bridge. It was looking a little bulky. I still have to figure out adding the feathers, without enough room for the whole feather, thus completing the headdress. I might enter this one in the Bedford Arts Contest in September. I entered last year and my Green man won the Purchase Award. The Bedford arts council bought the carving.
Seems little, but I am working on turning the head some like Alec Lacasse and I worked on during my last class with him. It adds some life. It is better than the straight ahead stare. It has been a little hot in the shop, but I am carving in the morn or evening. I have more pics on my instagram @natewoodsculpting.
I’m working on turning the head some on my carving to give more realism and life. Been hot to carve and life has been busy, but looking forward to getting out in the shop.
So, just speaking sentamentally, When Marty Eddinger, introduced me to woodcarving I had no idea the gift it would be to my life. Why has it made such a healthy impact in me. Let me
I will always be grateful to my late friend Marty, who introduced me to woodcarving, taught me so much (eyes!), and encouraged me, and gifted me many things. I miss this guy daily.
Worked on this one this week. Loved every moment.
