My First Tiki *Pictures*

Hello tiki friends. My Name is Brian and i have recently finished my first tiki project, a 3 foot tall totem. I've been interested in tiki for a long time but never got the chance to begin experimenting with the hobby. Recent events in New Orleans (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita), however have given me a chance to begin that i couldn't pass up. There are fallen trees everywhere! I picked up a couple of cypress logs about two weeks after the hurricanes and i've been carving ever since. I also picked up a 6 foot palm tree trunk that i plan on making a large totem out of. I figured i'd practice on the smaller, more common cypress since palm trees are hard to find around here. For a first attempt im pretty proud of myself. The cypress was pretty difficult to work with as it seemed to want to crack off in many places. Also, it wasnt exactly the greatest shaped log, but i think the awkward shape gives it character. The only tools i used were various sized chisels and a hammer. I only used a hand sander and dremel tool to smooth out the places i messed up. Here is a link to my pics for everyone to enjoy. Please comment and give tips that will help me out. I'm addicted to tiki and i want to do my best! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/b_moldaner/album?.dir=1967&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/b_moldaner/my_photos

If you would like more detailed pics just let me know.

Hey, great job and a big TC welcome. You will find plenty of great carvers here willing to lend a hand anytime. Cypress sure is purdy aint it? One of the biggest things i learned is carve deep. It's scarry at first but really makes your tiki pop out of the wood. Keep at it and take lots of pic along the way.

Welcome, M.I.O. Not too shabby for a first! It's great to see something good come from all of the devastation.

A-A

Welcome to TC. Great first tiki!
JP

Aloha Brian!
Welcome to TC brah! Stick around, dont be no clown, check out what other carvers be putting down! (stole that line from daddy u-roy, reggae singer!) Theres a lot of great artists here and choke amounts of kokua (help) if you ever need it! Great job on your first tiki bruddah! Keep going cuz, if youve got the bug youre gonna wanna carve all the time! And, youre only gonna get mo bettah and youve got a great start!

Good to hear someone made it out alive from all the hurricanes!

Malama Pono!