I have been using some of my Balinese mask carving skills and trying out carving some green wood for a mask. I got this wood from my friend Susan Koenig from a large tree branch she had to remove. It was quite wet and easy to rough out.
I find the inside of the mask almost more interesting than the front.
These two really old African pieces came into the studio for repair last week. I was so honored to be trusted to do the work. On the Male headpiece it had a very old nail attaching one of the horns. I had to gently pull it apart, scrape away the old glue, cut down the nail and slightly enlarge the hole enough that the pieces could meet cleanly. The female piece had the neck of the baby broken and it was really challenging to get it back together. There was no way to clamp it.
Got a picture of the pieces before I repaired them but didn't get one of the completed pieces.
Lorraine finished up this wonderful Chinese Elm abstract piece. She used the existing cracks to guide her design. The dark heart wood is exposed in some of the creases and makes the whole piece quite dramatic.
Here are some finished projects from the past month. George and Amelia both finished up carved basswood flowers. Dave finished his lovely St. Francis sculpture that was inspired by a Benny Bufano piece. Rise completed this stylized bird carved from African Mahogany. It finished to such a lovely sheen but I think we all agreed that African Mahogany is REALLY difficult to carved and to sand. Best left for cabinetry rather than carving.
Welcome to the new Grapes and Leaves Graduates, Brian, 13 year old brothers Jacob and Gabriel and Alison. A special welcome to Ellen Crouch starting her Grapes and Leaves. Ellen is the daughter of Al Crouch, the wonderful carver that taught me how to carve letters.
Even though her due date was yesterday, Tracy made it to class today and finished up a beautiful Walnut stirring spatula. Two weeks ago she put the final finishing touches on the second of her candle holders. Dedication.