hand carved redwood bench #2: Some progress and an introduction

Well the bench is coming along about as slow as possible. Working full time now doesn’t leave much of a window for me to be out there carving. And with some commissioned jobs coming up it will be worse soon. So I’ve been sort of rushing the carving while I’m out there and have to say that I feel somewhat bad, as I am trying to blog how to carve as well. So the tutorial will still happen, but it may not be up par (if they ever are).
Right now I want to say that I’ve recruited some special help. I’ve been working with my girlfriend over the past year helping her learn how to carve. I’m not that great of a teacher when the student seems to be a natural. I always wait for a question and the next thing I know the carving is done. She’s definitely a talented self starter and I’m happy to have recruited her to work with me on this bench. And, it gives us our time together while being productive.
Here is her latest carving.


She isn’t just helping with the carving though. I gave her control of the design of the carving she’s doing. This is what she came up with.

The legs are about 2 1/4 square. I will show her progress as I continue the blog.

Here is the progress of the carving I am working on. This is the back rest, and will be the carving I write the tutorial on. I am mainly working on the beard and leaves, and will probably do the eyes last. So the one on the left is just to get some of the leaves carved around it, and I wanted to see how I will proceed with it.
As always I welcome constructive criticism, positive or negative.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~