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This was the last of my wife's Christmas presents. I built a coffee table some time ago for my Mom. It had a top with a coastal scene under glass. You can see more about it here. My wife loved the top for that table. However, one of the disadvantages to having seven sons is that a coffee table always ends up broken or causing someone to get hurt. So we don't keep a coffee table in our living room. I used the pattern for that coffee table top though to make a wall hanging for my wife.
Before I go any further, you can purchase the plans for the coffee table, which has the artwork in this project, here.

The first four photos show different photos I took of the finished project. I must say that the most nerveracking part of this project, to me, was getting a 20×40" sheet of plate glass home, and into the frame, without breaking it.
The fifth photo shows the frame with the art work in it, with no glass, so you can see it a little better.
The last photo shows the corner of the frame so you can see how I built it. It is two inch wide finger jointed oak with mahogany overlay that is one inch thick. I could have gotten by with a thinner frame, but I was going for a shadowbox look.
The coastal scene that makes up the art work is built up in layers to give it a three dimensional look. It has various species of wood in it. I used cottonwood, pine, mahogany, box elder, oak, walnut and sweetgum. Then, as I said earlier, the frame is made of oak and mahogany.
The art work is finished with a single coat of Minwax gloss polyurethane. The frame is finished with two coats of the same polyurethane and two coats of Johnson's Paste Wax on top of that.

To make the portrait part of this project, it is built up in five layers.

1st layer, the backer board.

2nd layer.

3rd layer.

4th layer.

5th layer.

Gallery

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Thats quite a picture William.
Makes me want to be there.
Helluva talent you got there.
 

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William, With seven boys, I'm sure they can figure out how to knock it off the wall….. Did you build a replacement???
 

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William,
I'm running out of words to describe how awesome that looks and the talent & skill needed to accomplish it. Suffice it to say, I'm speechless.
BRAVO
 

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Thank you Bags.

Marty, it's being mounted over the fireplace, with a lag screw into brick mortor with expansion thingamabob. It shouldn't go anywhere. If it does though, I'm camping out at the shop until the smoke clears. Mama will not be happy and I'm staying clear.
 

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a great work william

the depth really give this life

very nice
 

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Thank you Dave.
I was worried if photos would even show the depth of this project. The 3D effect of the layering really brings it to life if you're seeing it in person. You know as well as anybody though, sometimes it's hard to capture the true heart of a project with a camera.
 

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I didn't realize it was so large till you mentioned the 20" X 40" glass. That's a really nice piece of art William. I do admire your patience to do stuff like that, and to do it so well. If by chance you do have a replacement, as Marty suggested, and need someplace to store it.. I'm sure I can find room on my wall. :)

Thanks for sharing this.. it's an inspiration!
 

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Yes, it is quite large.
This 3D portrait, according to the plans, is supposed to be the top of a coffee table. That's what I made for my mom. You can click on the link in the post to see it.
I love large projects like this one. I have done small projects. I find I bore easily though if there is not some kind of challenge to a project.

Wait till ya'll see my next project. I estimate it'll take at least a few weeks. It isn't going to be that challenging to do the wood work. It involved testing moving parts every step of the way though. It's something I've wanted to build for a long time.
 

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That's a very amazing Billy boy :))
 

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what a fantastic gift for your wife, i dont think there is anything you do William that is not first class, this is a great project and one to be mighty proud, your work im sure fills your home and is a testimony of a injured man who is determined to show the positive side, just because were hurt doesn't mean we cant make something of it…and you have shown that time and time again…very proud of your work and determination…grizz
 

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Thank you Grizz. That means a lot coming from you. You know I try hard. I feel that if I'm not improving my skill on each project, then I may as well give it up.

Thank you Jim. I hate being called Billy though.
 

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Love the 3D…..who needs 3D TV when you build your own…....Very unique William…..nice work.
 

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Wow! Very Nice!
 

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I followed this through your build and it turned out super! The 3-D makes this very unique. You are an artist with that scrollsaw.
 

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Thank you woodenfrog.

Thank you gfadvm. I don't know if I'd go as far as claim to be an artist. I still say anyone can do it. Just take it one cut at a time.
 

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William of all your stuff my wife likes this the most. Almost as much as porkchop.
Well done I like it a lot as well.
Nice Job!
 

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That is amazing William
You have been busy
jamie
 

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Very beautiful William. You are like an artist with a brush, but, with wood instead of the brush.
 
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