pjc - The first one did not turn out exactly how I intended so I started the new one. It is a lot closer to what I was trying for.

Big T. There's always Moody Gardens in Galveston. I heard they revamped the rainforest shortly after hurricane Ike. and also have an educational Kon-Tiki exhibit. I've got to get down there.

Mac - Thanks a lot man. We've had some good carving weather here and I've been trying to take advantage.

Surfintiki - thanks for looking in and you compliments are much appreciated.

On 2011-11-29 14:12, amate wrote:
pjc - The first one did not turn out exactly how I intended so I started the new one. It is a lot closer to what I was trying for.

Big T. There's always Moody Gardens in Galveston. I heard they revamped the rainforest shortly after hurricane Ike. and also have an educational Kon-Tiki exhibit. I've got to get down there.

Mac - Thanks a lot man. We've had some good carving weather here and I've been trying to take advantage.

Surfintiki - thanks for looking in and you compliments are much appreciated.

Dang it! I didn't know they had a Kon-Tiki exhibit! I was just down there two weeks ago! but check this out, I scored these sweet vintage Skipper Kent's mugs in an antique shop on the strand!!

Big T. As I recall, you have lots of cool stuff...both tiki and non-tiki. Those mugs are a great addition to your collection. I also need to correct some misinformation. I checked the website and it is not a Kon-tiki "exhibit". The beach area (closed for the season) has a Kon-tiki "theme".

A lot of new goodies! you are a great carver amate, congrats!

Marq looks fantastic and nice score on the mugs.Cheers Watango

So nice to hear from you again Clarita. I thank both you and Watango for lookin' in and the kind words. You guys owe us an update on your threads.

And now, a new Ku for the new year. Another one right at 16 inches.

Great work!! That headdress is one of a kind!

Some mighty awesome stuff!!

Another winner! As mentioned previous... the headdress is something special! One of a kind for sure.
This guy is got attitude... a sneer and a slouch!
Really nice finish overall also and a great color!

Keep up the great carves!

And Amate scores again.

Thanks guys. I'm going to play around with some variations on the headdress. You guys will probably get bored with them before I do. The weather is mild here this week and I've got too many projects in WIP. Gotta get back to it.

So great and unique! love the shots with nature he looks at home there. And about my thread, I didn't carve almost anything this year honestly, i'm waiting for my soul to come back, but I've started something, so I'll show what I got so far, later, I promise.

I made good progress on several projects yesterday afternoon. I was struck by this image in the early morning light. I just had to try and capture it.

It's a shadow test...looks great. Another fine piece of
work Amate!

Sheesh, musta been REAL early! :lol: :lol:
Lookin good!

Ah yes, the old shadow test. :) You would think I would remember that considering that I’m such a big fan of the low key photos. Have a happy new year Conga and I hope Pedro finds his way to the tiki bar. I'm having trouble finding one in my part of the world as well. This Olmec shot glass is the closest thing I have to a tiki mug. I will raise a glass to you and Pedro this evening.

And to you as well Big T. I don't believe I will be up as early tomorrow morn!

I really love you carves, another great piece!

Thanks Nix.

This one is 14 inches.

Nice.
Good detail.
You lost the shape of the log.
That's good.

Wow amate...that is a really great carve.

I really like your Ku's but this is certainly a nice change of pace. Good job.

Thanks Will. Always nice to hear your encouragement.

Ditto Nix. I seem to be stuck in a rut on several different styles. While carving a particular style, I'll get a new idea and want to try my hand at the little variation and start a new one.

Great job! I may have to give something like that a try someday! Detail is phenomenal!

Wow! Nice combination of darks and lights, and all the tattoo work..cool cool cool!

On 2012-01-16 15:09, amate wrote:

Very nice Tekoteko amate, I speak knowingly, mine is still on the workbench for a while....

Holy smokes! (I won't say wow as eveyone has) I love the details, he looks great!

[ Edited by: Grand Poobah 2012-01-19 19:44 ]

Been busy here but I wanted to jump on here real quick to thank everyone for your responses and support. I'll get back and catch up on everyone's thread asap...gotta go!

I like this piece a lot. It's got such good harmony, I hope that makes sense. You are a good photographer as well.

that little guy is bad ass!

nice work bro.

Excellent tekoteko Amate, Really glad to see you doing this level of work and detail. He's a Keeper for Sure.

Right out of the tattoo shop...way cool

Thank you all once again for lookin' in. Half the fun of this hobby is the carving and half is sharing it with all of you on this forum. The other half is making the photos. Hmmm three halfs...never was a math wizz.

I already cracked three of the pig tails on this guy so I'm getting off of him. He is 19 inches tall.

man, that is great piece bro....I love the color..

and where the heck is that background? paradise????

On 2012-01-29 13:37, amate wrote:
Thank you all once again for lookin' in. Half the fun of this hobby is the carving and half is sharing it with all of you on this forum. The other half is making the photos. Hmmm three halfs...never was a math wizz.

you know what they say..... there are three kinds of math students... ones that can count and one that can't!

nice looking carvings

Man,
You are really cranking these things out.
How many hours a day you spend carving?
Practice does make perfect.

Always love to see your unique style! ... And where is that background? I would forgo a day or two of carving and fish up and down that spot!

Excellent work there Amate I can tell you spent some time on that headdress!

pcj/ CapJack

The San Marcos River is spring-fed and originates in the Texas hill country region. That spot is about a mile from my house. Paradise? It’s not Tahiti but I like living here. There are only a couple of drawbacks that I can think of. It’s a 2to 3 hour drive to the beach and there are no tiki bars. The spot pictured below is about 2 miles from my house. The Moai photo I posted on page 2 was taken at this spot.

I don't know Grand Poobah, that sounds like more fuzzy math to me! :)

Will - The weather has been mild so far this winter and I guess I average about 10 hrs/week right now. I like to have about half a dozen carvings in different levels of completion at any one time. That puts me within striking distance on a couple at any time. I had a week off at Christmas and that's what made the difference. The last two have depleted my WIP so I guess it's time to rough out another one. Maybe I'll do another Moai.

Benz- The Ku headress on the last several have been an exercise in patience for me. I tend to rush through carving just to have something to put on the shelf at the end of the day. I'm getting better about slowing myself down. Thanks for stopping.

Amate, excellent head dress and yes....your pictures always intrigue me when I view them. Everything is in the details.

You create them very well.

Mahalo!

McTiki

On 2012-01-31 15:08, amate wrote:
The last two have depleted my WIP so I guess it's time to rough out another one. Maybe I'll do another Moai.

With your style - I'd like to see you tackle Kane!

On 2012-01-31 15:08, amate wrote:
The San Marcos River is spring-fed and originates in the Texas hill country region. That spot is about a mile from my house. Paradise? It’s not Tahiti but I like living here. There are only a couple of drawbacks that I can think of. It’s a 2to 3 hour drive to the beach and there are no tiki bars.

Amate- loving your carvings! I'd love to have one for my place if you're selling. I echo your sentiments about the lack of tiki bars in Texas, esp. after losing the Dallas TV. You are always welcome at my home tiki bar, The Enchanted Lagoon which is less than 45 min. from you. Besides the big annual Texas Tiki Round-up, we have a few smaller gatherings here and there also.

Funny, I was reading this thread amazed that your yard in San Marcos looked that lush and then saw your comments about the photos. While I am thoroughly enjoying this mild winter, I hope it doesn't portend another scorcher like last summer!

Great carving and great pictures. I love this thread!

McTiki - Thanks Mac. I'm glad to see you have another one in the works.

Aloha - I'll have to research Kane. When I started oceanic arts I did not realize so many people were into it. I went to museums and books for my inspiration. Not a lot of Hawaiian stuff survived the missionaries I guess because I did not see much of it and never learned about it. I have found some reference photos recently of the traditional pieces and that's why you see all the recent Ku activity. (I guess they're KU) If you can suggest a book or photo source of Kane, I'd be interested in seeing how they were originally done.

Koitiki - great to hear from you! If I'm going to keep doing this hobby, I need to move some stuff to make more room. So, sure I'll sell you something. Pick something out of my thread and then we can talk. I mostly want to get more details on that Texas Tiki round-up. Sounds like fun. I'll send you a PM.

I try to give folks something interesting to look at. I can't wait to see your current one finished. coming on strong!

Nice work. Man your glamour shots are really kicking ass too!

Man those last two are fantastic!!!