Newest wood carving, looking for feedback.

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Hello,

This is a wood carving I just completed. It is ash with stained finish, hand carved with a knife no rotary tools. I am an intuitive carver so work with found chunks to bring out what I see in it, carve as I go without a plan.

This is also my first post so hopefully it will turn out OK.

Tell me what you think, and what you would name the piece if anything.

Cheers.

just checked and the pics open sideways and small , ill try for another picture.

a reply to: Treespeaker

Have you ever made any furniture?

a reply to: Treespeaker

It's beautiful! How long did it take you to carve that out?

a reply to: OrphanApology

I have made everything from furniture, reusable shipping containers for bands and tv equipment to complete homes and commercial buildings lol. You might say I like to work with my hands and wood.

I do have an "angry" chair I'm planning on carving, an old one I refinished.

I tend to have several works on the go at once, as not to rush things.


Cheers.

a reply to: Jennyfrenzy

Thank you very much

I worked on and off of this one for close to four years. This was a tricky wood that liked to be carved in one direction only and quite hard. It tends to splinter.

I tend to carve evaluate and do some more until I'm satisfied in leaps.

Cheers.

It is a nice piece. I'd call it "Angel's Rest".

a reply to: Treespeaker
I love this, it's beautiful! I look forward to seeing more from you.

I love the idea of bringing out what you see. I do that a lot with drawing, especially from woodgrain and marbled floors, walls, etc.

I can always see a face or some image, give me a pencil and pd of paper, and I can draw all day. When I need inspiration for something new and original, this is always my go to, otherwise, redrawing what someone else already did is just that, right? No matter how you dress it up. But, I can pull just about anything from woodgrain and my imagination, from serious images, to scary, to cartoons, to cute, and find it all just depends on my mood.

Do you find you can see different things based on your mood? And do you wait until you feel inspired, to carve? Do you wait until the image "moves" you?

a reply to: Treespeaker

You've got talent and should definitely continue carving.

I love how you can see the emotion in this piece. As her head is held down with hair covering her face, she looks sad but is being comforted by being held. It's really really nice!!

Very beautiful. Did you use lime-sulfur on her wings?

a reply to: w8tn4it

Thanks,

I was thinking tired angel, but yours definitely sounds better, thanks!

Cheers.

a reply to: Libertygal

Thank you for your thoughts and compliment,

I definitely would say I "wait" for inspiration. I keep at it to bring it from a cartoonish parody to what I see, it does really seem to be a matter of time and effort to bring out some clarity.

Most folks thought I was carving a sea gull untill it was almost done...snicker

Cheers

a reply to: Treespeaker
Angel's Rest trumps anything I was able to come up with.

I was thinking of a few, Lost in Thought, A Private Moment, Alone, etc.

Angel's Rest sounds perfect for the feeling it conjured in me, and I just couldn't put a finger on it. Lol.

a reply to: Jennyfrenzy

Well thank you,

That is exactly what I was trying to bring out in her, a resting but not a defeat.

Didn't know if the wing idea would turn out (visually) till you brought it up, they are definitely supposed to be cradling and comforting her.

Peace

a reply to: Hushabye

I used a latex based toll paint watered down as an ink to get in the crannies and still show a little wood grain.

The hair is walnut stain, and the whole is covered in a satin finish clear coat.

The flat latex white wash was intended to bring a softer look to the wings, while the satin makes the rest a little shinier or "wet" looking.

cheers

a reply to: Treespeaker
I saw it took you four years, that's amazing. Long time to carry a piece and inspiration, and bring it to fruition. I have done similar with clay, as well. Made a piece over and over until it felt right. Hard for me to work in clay without a definitive goal in mind, for that exact reason. It almost haunts me until it's right.

Thanks again for sharing, and the convo, I love to find out how other artists think and feel about their pieces.

I don't see a seagull at all, though!

It's a very touching piece, and would likely fetch a fair price were you to put it to market. It keeps bringing me back to look again and again. Exactly what you want a piece like this to do!

a reply to: Treespeaker

Glad to oblige, keep up the good work.

I want! It is beautiful and amazing! What really strikes me is her hair. That seems like that would have been extremely difficult to do.

a reply to: calstorm

Lol thanks, I'm sure Ill get rid of it once I have it for a while and season it.

The hair I was afraid was not detailed enough to convey reality, but it seemes to work. I redid the hair 3 times lol good think she had a big head then.

Cheers.

Figured I would toss a couple pics of some of my other carvings, pictures or it didn't happen and all that lol.

One shows a cup of nature and a little tagua ( Nut Ivory ) skull that is hollow. The other is a work in progress from an oak knot.

a reply to: Treespeaker

I would love to give you advice but it wouldn't be honest...I am not THAT good.
You kicked the crap out of that piece...great job.
I applaud you.