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He is loved by everyone and is invited to all of the Woodland Christmas Festivals. He of course is "Santa" the Christmas Wizard. He loves everyone but makes a list of those who have been good and of course those who haven't been are not on the list. He is cheery and merry and full of the most Loving energy. He measures 16 3/4" tall x 14 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" deep.

I don't do a lot of wizards like this. This is a very high relief carving. This is a much more different wood to carve than a Pine Knot. But I love the effect of the natural burl all around his face. And I really like the contrast in color from the natural edge and the carved portion.

He is carved out of a maple burl. A burl is caused by the trees reaction to an agro bacteria. The tree produces many buds as if to defend itself. It is similar to a wart on a person. It has no effect on the tree. It produces some of the most amazing grain with little pins on the outside. Each of the pins could produce another tree if given the right conditions.

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Comments

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479 Posts
You have a gift. This is an outstanding piece of work/carving. Simply beautiful. Great job. Your website is also very nice.
 

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237 Posts
you are an amazing carver…truly a wood wizard
I love all of your pieces.
 

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Great carving. Thanks for sharing him with us.
 

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215 Posts
wow, that is a wonderful carving! your work is outstanding.
 

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841 Posts
Outstanding carving!
 

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Thanks so much, you guys!!! I sure appreciate your kind words!!

<(8^)
 

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19,753 Posts
Waaaaay cool Gary great job.
 

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Gary… may I ask how long this took? I think it is a masterpiece.

The detail and life-likeness blows me away. The tone of the wood, the eyes, the way the whiskers blend into the burl… all is exquisite.

Seeing work like this has two effects on me; inspiration to work harder, and then the realization that work like this is beyond my talent. I recently went to the Louvre in Paris. I saw hundreds of wonderful sculptures. Let me tell you my friend… I think you are right in their ballpark.
 

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I don't know HOW you do that…. but I wish I had those kind of skillz. Great looking piece!!
 

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I am with Spoontaneous … I don't know how you do that but it looks awesome. Amazing stuff !!!!
 

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Thank you so much, Maplerock! That is quite a compliment!! That Santa took around 20-25 hours I would guess. He was a lot of Dremel work! All of the part around his face is the natural burl, what's right under the bark. The bark was pressure washed off so that it is really clean.

Sure appreciate the wonderful comments!!

<(8^)
 

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1,833 Posts
Wow , amazing
 

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I like its,good job. Thanks.
 

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wow, that's incredible. its going to make someone very happy!
 

· In Loving Memory
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Excellent work in a difficult piece.
 

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HoHoHo! He's amazing.
 

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What??? That is freaky talented!!! I quit!

Andy
 
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