Ludwig

Wow, that is a great carving. The eyes are so intense looking!

-- Peter, Woodbridge, Ontario

wow, simply wow

-- BD, where bad wood finds a home. Va

Super carving.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

What a wonderful talent you have..

-- Hawaiilad Larry

Those eyes drew me in – WOW!!

-- Raymond, Charlotte, NC -------- Demonstrate the difference!

Very nice carving.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

This piece is much like your previous work, Art more than craft. If she doesn’t like it, you can make another, as customers sometimes are difficult? Really wondering why you chose oak plywood flooring? I might have thought to use it for a backer and glued on more amenible (sp?) wood to carve?

Your work shows an artisan at work, and play. Wish I had your talent. LOL!

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

This was not oak plywood flooring….it was a kitchen cabinet door that was given to me. Infused it because the size fitted my vision of what I wanted. I have all kinds of wood that I could have used but the plywood spoke to me. Was it easy carving? Not really, but I wanted the gradiations of each ply to stand out in the face to give depth. I ‘m really a relief carver. I carve mostly in the round. I am pleased with the results and will probably try another. It is really weird, though. I first woodburned the image and then lightly carved the image. Sat on it for a few months then decided I had to go deeper….then deeper…then deeper. I then had to decide what to do with the background. I liked what Van Goth did with his Crows in the Field painting so I thought I wood gouge some patterns in the wood. That proved to be as difficult as the profile. I then had to sand the edges since they were sharp. I also had a time with the scarf. A little difficulty getting the image from my brain then into my hands. Then the paint scheme took a few iterations. This was a process for me like most of my work. Some people can just start creating in a sitting. I have to eat it….breathe it….live it and sometimes puke it. I love creating and am very critical of my work. I really appreciate all the kind words from everybody.

Sorry missed that it was a plywood door, shoulda had my second cup of coffee , thanks.

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

This is a mesmerizing piece of work, one that I’m not sure I’d want to be in the same room with for too long. He seems to be accusing you of something, playing the wrong notes perhaps?
You, on the other hand have hit all the right notes here. The carving is patient and very evocative, much like an fine oil painting but instead cutting the brush strokes into the humblest of materials.
60 looks good on you. Great work.
gene

-- gene@toronto.ontario.canada : dovetail free since '53, critiques always welcome.

Thanks Gene for the kind words. It was my intention to try and make it look like an oil painting. I even used spray on varnish, that is used for oil painting sealer, for the coating. As far as the profile picture of me…well that was at 58 and some good ol’ Grecian formula I used for a joke. I think I better update that picture!