Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Wood Carvings In Scenes (Mixed Media)

Many times we are asked to do a carving within a scene.  Here's two such examples.  The first is a photo of a Gnome "Harley" rider.

I was did this piece for a friend whose husband is an avid motorcycle rider.  Some wood carvers may not like the idea of placing a wood carving on a metal die cast motorcycle.  I have no problem with it.  I think the mixing of the wood carving and the metal bike work well together and convey the intended message.

Here's another Gnome mixed with a non wood item.
Once again, a friend asked me to carve a Gnome playing a baritone horn,  This was a gift to a person who taught brass horn players.  The horn is a Christmas tree ornament, and not wood.  Certainly not carved by me.  But I think it works fine.

My message, "don't be afraid to mix things up"; hence the words "mixed media".

2 comments:

DougTxMan said...

I found your blog over the weekend. I went back to the post from 2009 forward to the current post. As a beginner, I wish that I had found this blog about six months ago. Many questions have been answered, thank you. I lost my father a little over a year ago and we lost my mother a few years ago. The items hand crafted by them are the items my sister and I cherish the most. I look forward to creating items that can be passed down also.
Thank you for carrying on the torch for your friend. I am sorry for your loss, but I can see a legacy that has been left. I have read many books and many different opinions on blades. I started with a huge 2 inch block as my first project. Mistake for sure. My best carvings come from just a pocket knife and a piece of a cedar branch carved in a deer stand waiting on a deer to come out. Carve look up, repeat. The 1/2 to 3/4 basswood square sticks will be with me next season for sure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and patterns. I look forward to attempting to do many of them.
With respect, Doug

Tom H said...

Doug,

Thanks for taking the time to check out the blog. And thanks for such nice comments. Your words and thoughts about leaving hand crafted items for family are especially meaningful. I don't have a lot of such items, but the ones I do have I would never part with. I think that leaving special hand made items for family is an important activity. Carved items can fill that bill. Thanks again.

Tom Hindes