| Project by Ellen | posted 1029 days ago | 1079 views | 3 times favorited | 19 comments |  |
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Every year I donate a heart shaped project to a local charity here in Memphis. This silent auctioned event draws over 400 people to bid on work that over 100 “Heartists” donate.
This year, I had purchased a piece of maple that had huge worm holes on the underside that made me think of a Manta Ray fish. So I created this heart shape as a Manta Ray and then created a wave for it to be riding high on.
This sculpture is created using an angle grinder, to get the shape and then from there mostly hand sanding since there are very few flat surfaces. The underside of my heart, I applied a fruitwood stain for contrast. And like all my pieces this is sanded to 4000 grit and finished with tung oil and a final coat of wax. This is one of the largest sculptures that I have made, as it is 21” L x 12” W x 11” T.
Hope you like it.
-- Ellen -- www.goodadvertising.com/woodwork
19 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 1029 days ago
oh, Ellen… this is the most beautiful heart, story, gift, flow, wood, beauty…..
the lines are amazing, everything in motion.
The charity sounds like it is true gift to the community and your creation definitely signifies the love shared in helping others.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ll be coming back to look at it many times.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
dennis mitchell
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3789 posts in 1208 days
posted 1029 days ago
Beautiful..Sure missed you around here. Glad to see this project. Of course you could have waited and posted it after the competion…
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Philip Edwards
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235 posts in 1333 days
posted 1029 days ago
That is wonderful Ellen! You truly are gifted!
Phil
Ellen
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74 posts in 1339 days
posted 1029 days ago
I have missed being in the “running” for a while, as we have been busy building a screend-in porch and an entertainment center, but I had the obligation to work on this design and create a sculpture for the charity event. When we finish the entertainment center, I will add that to the site.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
-- Ellen -- www.goodadvertising.com/woodwork
Don
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2590 posts in 1070 days
posted 1029 days ago
Ellen, this is a beautiful piece. As I always view the pictures before reading I was pleased that I “got it”. The images ‘Riding High’ created in my mind were: water, fluid motion, dolphin, heart-shaped organic, tactile, gentle, & sensually soft.
I really admire your artistry and am particularly inspired by your sculptured boxes. Thanks!
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/
scottb
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3402 posts in 1220 days
posted 1028 days ago
“Heartists”, I like that… the sculpture too. Beautiful.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Mesca
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12 posts in 1027 days
posted 1026 days ago
This is just beautiful. Can’t think of anything more to say about it other than it gives me a wonderful feeling just looking at it.
-- Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.
woodgrain411
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139 posts in 746 days
posted 723 days ago
VERY beautiful.
-- I love this site !
alanealane
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174 posts in 784 days
posted 721 days ago
WHOA!! What a piece of ART! Congrats on your amazing talent!!
-- Lane Custom Guitars and Basses
darryl
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1392 posts in 1220 days
posted 564 days ago
this is an amazing piece of carving. it’s not the first time I’ve looked at this, but I’m not going to pass up another chance to let you know how great a job you did!
I just love the way this piece flows.
-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com
trifern
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7894 posts in 661 days
posted 545 days ago
Gorgeous piece of art.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
alanealane
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174 posts in 784 days
posted 472 days ago
I just saw my post above and had forgot I looked at this before. I’m just as amazed as I was the first time….I think….sorry can’t remember! ;-D
I will try this wood sculpturing someday!! Please keep inspiring me and other LJ’s to use our imaginations. It’s so easy to go buy some plans and follow the directions to make a piece, but coming up with your own design is beyond gratifying.
-- Lane Custom Guitars and Basses
matt garcia
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716 posts in 565 days
posted 328 days ago
You are so imaginative, it is truly amazing what your eyes see!! Beautiful work, Ellen!!
-- Matt, Houston Texas
John Gray
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1751 posts in 779 days
posted 328 days ago
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
dustygirl
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767 posts in 622 days
posted 328 days ago
What a beautiful piece you have created Ellen.I love it.
-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?
peruturner
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212 posts in 256 days
posted 78 days ago
Great carving and all the rest of the comments I agree well done
-- peruturner,lima peru
a1Jim
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16696 posts in 471 days
posted 78 days ago
Wow Ellen Wow this an amazing sculpture wonderful design and workmanship.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
John Gray
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1751 posts in 779 days
posted 78 days ago
WOWEEEEE!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
SCOTSMAN
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2238 posts in 479 days
posted 78 days ago
This is truly nice.Sometimes ones interpretation of art does not suit everyone but this is just right and even beyond just right .I imediately thought of skate fish which I as a young man used to cut the wings off on the pier at Oban Argyll ,well done. Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease