Post #203460 by kaha kii on Fri, Dec 16, 2005 4:34 PM

Hey bruddah Marcus! Howzit?!
Listen brah, I know the feeling! As Im sure you know, most subtractive sculpture, especially tiki carving is almost a spiritual experience...
Many carver's, myself included look at the raw material as having a life within. As the carver, its our job to chip away at the meat revealing the inner living being...So in my opinion, I dont think I would touch da buggah! Since he was "born" he has been "living" as the tiki you originally revealed from its wooden shell...And its okay if he doesnt match up to da kine tiki you carve today! We all progress and evolve with our skills over time and I look at my old work as the natural progression that all artists go through.
Your idea of carving him a new one is way mo bettah, I think. Your customer will get to keep the old tiki and have a new miki'oi one to add to the ohana! Like I said, Ive been in the same predicament myself a few times. So, I replaced the original instead of refurbishing the old buggah and that same customer was so happy, he bought choke carvings from me after that!
So I think giving him a new one would be good for business and good for the soul!

Hope This helps you making your your decision!

Aloha and Mele kalikimaka!

For miki'oi Authentic Hawaiian Makau, check out my website! You wont find mo bettah brah! http://www.cabanillamakau.com

[ Edited by: kaha ki'i 2005-12-16 16:36 ]