Bookends!

Now here’s a couple pieces I did back in the 70’s?  Not really sure when but I know it’s an old one.  The only problem with it was that the wood used was so light that it wouldn’t hold the books upright.  Not much I can do about that.  Anyway, I think it’s a neat…

Indian Bottle Stopper

I’ve had this warrior’s head setting on my workbench for the past year gathering dust.   So….What to do when unused body parts start to pile up?  BOTTLE STOPPER!!  Yep!  That’s a quick way to thin out the timber.  Now…he ain’t much but he’s now something, and that’s a lot more than he used to be….

Storms A-Comin

We were down visiting our Son and family in Norman, Ok recently and I took that opportunity to reacquaint myself to one of my favorite carvings.  The colors of the piece and the attitude of the character really make me smile.  So…..as he refused to give that piece back to me I decided to carve…

Sparkling Eyes

https://youtu.be/rcZjQTIVGEE?si=GCsxfCQozzwipfSo Here’s a short video on how add a little sparkle to my carvings eyes.  An easy thing to do which will add a great affect to your pieces.  The old painted white highlight might work but this method give yours eyes that special, life-like twinkle.  Comments welcome.

Union Drummer Boy

Guilty as charged!  Yes….I have been shirking my duties of posting updates to this Blog.  Unfortunately, try as I might, I just can’t seem to find the time to set down and type something out.  With the post before this one of Sacajawea, I finally made it through the pre-digital photos of carvings.  I’m don’t…

Sacagawea

Sacagawea was carved back in 1998.  She was part of a 3 figure group including Lewis and Clark which was my first commission.  It was called “Pointing the Way!”  Actually, it was a 4 figure group when including the young boy Pompey, wrapped in his papoose and strapped to her back.  Knowing the history of…

Iron Nose

Carved in 1999, this is a nice example of my earlier Native Americans.  About the only improvement I would make would be the feathers.  Over time I learned that feathers have a natural curve determined by which side of the bird they were taken from.  Once I took this into account it created a much…

Chief Many Feather

Personally, I think this is one of my best pieces.  It really captures a regal look even though it might be a caricature.  That robe looks like you could touch it and feel the soft surface of the buffalo hide.  To top it off the bonnet with it’s racoon tail just completes the piece.  Beautiful!…

Iron Eyes

The late 90’s seems to be banner years for my carving of Native Americans.  I guess after concentrating on Cowboys for so long this new challenge was a welcome one.  Iron Eyes, who bares no relationship with the fake redskin that was shedding tears in promoting saving the forests at the time, is a great…

My First Native Americans

Believe it or not, I came across that photo of two of Charles Russel’s Native American dolls in a book at the U.S. Consulate in Leningrad, USSR back in 1980.  The Consulate maintained a small library in the building in case some brave city citizen might make it past the two Military guards stationed out…