My son's request .Please help.

waterfall / birdbath / birdhouse ?

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

Alistair,
Think about what sort of things your son is interested in, what design styles he likes, what would be inspirational to him. Does he have a favorite song, poem, saying, scripture, sport or interst etc? You can incorporate those things, or elements of them into a gardens sculpture. If you have an interesting piece of wood – what elements does it have that you can bring out?

My grandfather had an intersting piece of black walnut with a blond streak through it. and a knot on one side. He used the knot to carve a rag hanging over it. Angling from top left to bottom right was what looked like a femur. and the blond streak – he carved into beautiful wavy hair. He named it “Woman” (This was many years ago and unfortunately the judges in the show didn’t get the reference) It was from a Rudyard Kipling quote. I’ll leave you guys to figure out what quote that was. He won fourth place in the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Show for sculpture- now a quite prestigious show. Had the judges been a bit more literate, they told him he would have gotten the blue ribbon for sculpture. One of the things I loved about him was his odd sense of humor.
Sarah

celtic cross or endless knot?

-- Sharp tools and thin whispy shavings make woodworking a joy.

they have a sundial outside of the planetarium at our college similar to this.

I’ll see if I can find an image of it for you.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

How good are you with a chainsaw mate you could try rough carving

-- cut it saw it scrap it

I like the Celtic Cross idea if you think it’s appropriate.

-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.

Here’s a link to the college sundial. I’ve seen plans for it out of wood in a magazine, but don’t remember which one.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I have already made a Celtic cross and have it downstairs I’ll take some pic’s and show it tomorrow.The sundial sounds good any more sundial ideas? a water feature is too much hassle with pipes and all getting lots of frost in Scotland as we do still thanks so far guys-n-gals. Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

When I think garden art out of wood…it is mostly benches…arbors…or planting boxes/pots. A friend of mine made a beautiful planting tower from a stump and some creative additions. The plants grow in the pots and hang down over the trunk…the trunk is hollowed to relieve the weight…and can be used for storage…If you are interested I would have him send me a pic….All the other suggestions are excellent also.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

I am building a pair of curved natural edge solid oak garden settee style benches right now.Full backing six feet high that grows out of the existing masonry.Topped with a heavy solid copper dew brow. Very artsy , very massive.

How about a lighthouse? You could put a solar powered light in it.

-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.

How bout a good ol’ Scottish Salmon? I do like the lighthouse idea though.

-- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO

What kind of art? Abstrat? Traditional? Classic? Western, as in US cowboys:-))

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Here’s some plans Alistair

http://robertwmcalister.com/plans.htm

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

The name for the style of sundial at the college is called armillary sundial, here are images of some others.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Two of my favorite things as yard Decorations are old fashioned windmills, and lighthouses.

I love modern sculpture so I thought of Eduardo Chillida first. Something like one of these:

http://www.march.es/arte/coleccion/obras/grandes/chillida.jpg

http://www.db-artmag.de/01/assets/images/chillida01.jpg

Rob

-- Lancaster, PA

Alistair – make a totem pole. If you are indeed able to do it – try to make it your family. It would also be an heirloom!

mtkate, That is a fantastic idea!! I have always wanted to make one, but I haven’t come up with an original design. Thx!! :-))

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.