"Santa "

Great carving. I love the eyes.

-- Rob — I've cut it off twice and it's still too short!, http://www.witzkewood.com

Looks Great! So any tips on carving bark? I would think that it might be a bit fragile and frustrating to work with.

-- I am responsible for how I respond to everything in my life - - Katy TX

Yeah, it keeps challenging me for sure! Sharp tools really help and CA glue can come in handy. Bark seems to make a really big mess, but it sure carves quickly. I have learned to be flexible with my design, in case something flakes off, and I power carve part with sanding drums…..that seems to make it easier doing some curved, flowing portions, and other areas. Then I will go back and carve other details back in. This is only my second bark carving, so I’m not sure I know enough about it to even be considered a novice!

-- Mike P., Arkansas, http://mpounders1.blogspot.com

He looks tired! :o)

-- From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. - Prov 12:14

Such a wonderful Santa face. Mark- maybe this is Santa’s after Christmas face? :)

-- Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

You took something most of us would throw in the burn pile and made a fantastic peice of artwork.
Nice !

-- Gary; Marysville, MI...Involve your children in your projects as much as possible, the return is priceless.

I really like this. The bark edges takes it beyond the traditional look of a carved face.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

cool

-- RStadler

Mike thats a great carving!! I met a carver at our last show.He only carves cottonwood bark.
How you described how to go about carving it is almost word for word how he advised also.
He also power carves 90% and has to be very flexible while he carves.Nice project.

-- The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. "Helen Keller"

Hey Mike, I would love to “chew the fat” with this guy, he looks like he’s been there there & done that.
Youv’e managed to capture a tired old man with a lot to share.
I think it’s fantastic for what it is.

-- Pete G: If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got

Nice! And Nice again for finding beauty in something normally thrown away!

-- Folly ever comes cloaked in opportunity!

My kind of Santa! The fat dude in the red suit is no match for this one….

-- Div @ the bottom end of Africa. "A woodworker's sharpest tool should be his mind."

Very cute. I’m not a bark carver. I tried it once at a carving competition, and I didn’t like it. Too brittle, and I had a hard time with it. So, I can really appreciate the expertise you have to make this Santa turn out like you did.

good work!
m

-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com

me like it. cork/bark especially

-- Rev 22:21

I love the carving! I carve alot in cottonwood bark, I find it a very enjoyable experience. But you must get a good grained bark. I get mine shipped in from canada. You need a certain amount of flexibility in your designs…however that being said, if you get down to the inner bark areas away from the outside of the bark it is very nice to carve. Wonderful piece you did!!!

-- J.Palmer,Texas,http://www.mysticcarvings.com