Post #457779 by Paipo on Mon, Jun 1, 2009 4:28 AM

Well, another 4 weeks or have slipped by, and once more I'm a little remiss in responding to all the nice stuff people have to say. First things first...

GROG - I never left, just switched from "post" to "lurk". Now I'm back again - after another month!

cheekytiki: It is is probably a little easier when the story is already written as it was in this case...but I am trying to make the pieces more "character-driven", whether through my own ideas or adapting existing tales. New guy (below) I think fits this mold pretty well...

KINNY! kinny...kinny! Still providing my biggest fix of eye-candy and inspiration on TC! Much of the aforementioned lurking is devoted to keeping up with your offerings. I'm not posting...but I am always watching....

As for the "crossover", it's just a deep undercut. Not easy to clean up when you have another layer overlapping where you're trying to reach with the tools, but still one of the best ways of making a flat stone look a lot deeper and get some more dramatic shadows happening!

T-mec - yes, well a student at least. We're actually working to a pretty tight deadline with our class so I'm holding off posting until I'm sure I'll finish my piece! Anyway, before I can consider myself a carver I've really got to hook up some chisels (which I will be doing via that way-cheaper-than-NZ website you posted).

Amy - I'm so glad you're back posting and carving again too. Shame I missed your party again - a trip to the desert would be just the ticket right now!

Bowana - well, you'll probably like the latest batch of pics below. Light is also becoming part of the story for some of these characters I'm working on, and I try and get a couple of "Black Velvet" pics of each new piece. As for shots of my wood - see reply to T-Mec! Pics...soon?

laojia - I'm definitely right back at base camp now, and looking up at the lofty heights. The tradition and artistry in this country are unsurpassed, but if I can even learn or absorb just a fraction of that greatness I will be happy. Watching a master carver using the chisels with my own eyes has been a revelation!

Pat - thanks for taking the time to trawl through the archives. You're another person I'm stoked to see back posting and in action with the diamond burrs, and brushes...and needle. Seems like a lot of the regular posters form the last couple of years have been busy with life sometimes overtaking art. I am taking too long to write this too :)

Lake/Dave - yes, it's been good have a break and not push too hard for a while. I'm often pulled in many different directions with work and home life and it can be tough to choose which path to take. One that's been easy to follow lately is the lure of the sea - two consecutive 3-day weekends of pumping conditions have slaked my thirst and I now need a break from that too. A warm shed is looking very inviting this week! Hope you're getting some freshwater goodness!

Ben - Thanks (for all the many replies and bumps). :) :) :)
I know you always understand how much work these pieces take. Only one flaw? I can see a few in that photo, but fortunately you won't be able find all of them unless you visit this wahine in her new home on the West Coast (and I'm not talking about my West Coast). Speaking of ghost pages, unless you beat me to it , I think this post will exorcise the ghost of page 34! Fingers crossed

Benjamin - I like the view from the back just as much too. I had a small obsession with these crossed-over notches, which I think I've satisfied now. Originally the piece was going to be little more than an overlapping form, but somehow it developed a life of its own...

tikibad - thanks too for taking the time to dig back through the thread. I do it myself sometimes to where I've made progress and where I can make more. Hope you like the new piece!

Clarita - succinct and to the point. I like it!

seeks - hope you've been finding and not just seeking! I like to think these guys are alive too, especially once the eyes go in!

tikifreak - it seems a couple of pages in my thread covers a period of months these days, where it used to be weeks. I think I have some catching up to do too...

Iokona - Cheers! Pull up a chair, have a sift through the archive and enjoy!

Henrik - well, I already sort of replied, but yes - I'm in! Thinking I had plenty of time, I now notice half of the 2 months we had has already disappeared into the aether. I better get cracking!

Ben (again..x2!) We're almost there...just a little further....

Kinny - 1 month on - yes! Waves! Check out the next pics....

Perry! WOW! This is like a class of '06 reunion! Whatcha been up to man?

Phew! Gonna take a break, pics to follow in another post cause this one is now officially H U G E! Hang in there!