Originally published in 2012
It’s been quite a while since I carved Will Rogers and as they were asking about him last week when Judy and I paid a visit to Woolaroc museum I thought I’d do another bust of the Oklahoma humorist. The hat behind his head is not the one that will be there at the end but it will give you some idea of what’s to come.
Finished up with the carving part of this project this afternoon. He’s looking better and better. Still have to burn in the color breaks and the details. Thought I had a problem with the rope he’ll be spinning but figured it out after the second trip to Lowes. This is a pretty big bust, standing around 15″ tall with the base, so he’ll be a pretty impressive piece.
Old Will, or rather Young Will in this case, is passing the time spinning some rope and that boy can spin some rope! This was really an enjoyable figure to do. Lots of action with a little humor tossed in for good measure which Will would probably approve of. I based the figure and the colors of the clothes and chaps on the painting “Dog Iron” by Wayne Cooper which hangs inside the Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma. The Dog Iron Ranch was where Will grew up just outside Oolagah, OK. The ranch is now part of the Memorial and well worth a stop if you’re ever in the area.
For the rope I use a larger size of commercially twisted wire available at Lowes so as to bring it into scale with the figure.
Comments welcome.
