Tama - NZ Pounamu/greenstone - Last post for '08! - pg99

great stuff tama! i am so happy happy happy with the fez tiki. i don't really know how to say what i think, but the edges and curves are right on. it doesn't even look carved, just pure. i don't know if that makes sense to ya, but it's a compliment! :D

damn you!!! and your inspiration!! i need to sleep!!

E-GADS Tama! That's some pretty swell stuff there. The swinger is really nice...

Thanks for the play-by-play (as we say here in the states - I think it's an American Football thing?), instructions and guidance while making these guys. You really are an inspiration. I bought some really cheezy bits from "Harbor Freight" here, and they're ok, (Chinese), but I can't wait to get my paws on some of that hongia stuff! Thanks agian about that! Any day now!

Sweet stuff!

Peace to you too!

[ Edited by: tikigap 2006-12-14 23:01 ]

DEEEAAAAMN! This is all lookin good...Hey King, you need an underboss?? I'm da man. But, I would need a black Bandana w/ F.BALLS and the Jade tiki attached somehow.... It would look ahelluva lot betta on this bald head than a Fez. Maholla Back, BrothaBull. fB

Thats looking tres cool man :)

WOW, I'm amazed at the quality of this stuff. I knew it was only a matter of time before some jade carvers started showing up here. I'm glad too because these tiki designs are some of my favorite. I've always thought the Maori motifs are the most intricate and difficult to copy.
I'm gonna go back and mow over this post some more.

I guess I'm Awake now!
Reflecting everyone else, the Fez piece is going to be truly one of your Finest pieces. I feared in the beginning that it would be a bit cartoony, but happily I was way off base, glad I kept my keyboard shut! Tama, you never cease to Amaze. Alien Tiki talking about the inevitability of jade carvers coming to TC, yes it's about time but the Great thing is how we were SO Fortunate to have 2 of the finest ones show up here, given the hoards of jade"Carvers" from down-under.
HappyHappyHappy

[ Edited by: Benzart 2006-12-16 05:22 ]

Tama,
I'm glad you post all the updates. I can can go backand forth and really try to figure out how you do it. I have to admit, it still baffles me.

Great stuff.
JP

Hey Tiki-fans.

Managed to drag myself away from browsing & constructive discussions just long enough to make a bit of CARVING progress, phew.

Gman: Thanks again for your slobber - much appreciated.

Benz: Im always a bit fearful of creating cartoony-tiki myself. It comes from the tight 2-D working out on paper without too much thought for how it will actually translate in 3-D. Has caught me out in the past but Im hoping this one will be alright...

Kaha ki'i: Im looking forward to replying to you; git carving brah! Man, I found it took me ages to get the background on so many great posts from the past. Hard enough to follow daily, let alone catch up on 6 months away. Good luck!

Cheers Bullet!: I do know what you are trying to say. I think it's due to the extra depth that Im working with & also that slight curve. They seem to give a 'plumpness' or aliveness compared to much of my flat-work. Ive learned/am learning a few things in making this one. All good ammo for the future. Wont be too long now mate, still juggling...

Pdrake: No sleeping! Unless it's to dream of tiki of course.

Tikigap: Cheers. I will try to post with a few more step-by-step projects before too long. Ive been thinking for a while that I might start squirreling piccies away & showing the whole progression in one hit?

FreddieBalls: Welcome to the Club (*Kings, show him the handshake :wink:)

Hewey: Cheers!

Alien: Im quite surprised that no NZ/Maori wood carvers have found their way here either, but Tiki-Kulture has never really made it here...Glad you're enjoying the stonz!

JP: as above. I will attempt to make the investigative work a little easier in future with tighter-packed step-by-step progs. There is no right or wrong way to attack these things & I know that some aspects of my own approach aren't the simplest or most advisable; just my way...

Tikimecula: Ill PM later tonight.

And at last the wee Swinger-tiki is done - He's been 'hanging out' to get his hands around something. (I had intended to plait a 4-strand/round cord but couldnt for the life of me manage to get 4 strands through, doh! Had to settle for 3-plait.

Toggle made from same stone-type. Added this to show my 'standard' toggle - oh, the love/hate relationship I have with those little buggers: as if I dont bite my fingernails short enough! :lol:

*Looks like the start of 'Cliffhang-aaaarrrgh...

Hang on fella!

Blue/green paua eyes.

Hope you like it TM!!

Bullet: You're next!

TTT :)

wee swinger is so cool! an imaginative idea perfectly executed. i like the blue/green paua eyes. i think sumadoz would look great on fez tiki.

Way to go Tama! Very nice indeed! A very cool idea with machine-like execution.

-Gman

Great symmetry on the whole piece. It is amazing as hard as this material is, that you can get every radius perfect and soft with no witness marks.

JP

Tama,

Your art is truly fantastic. This swinger guy is great. I have a new appreciation for this type of work now, (as you know, Thanks!), and it's not easy to do well. Great stuff.

Greg

Most EXELLENT Sir Tama. That was a brave move to attempt to create this "Swinger" and you flew through it with flying colours. He looks so much More aliveswinging through the trees just like you had done a dozen before. Surely you will be doing that Dozen now! Your art has realy inspired this imposter of an artist for sure. Watching the daily progress(almost) has been a real treat. Thanks

Wow! Great idea and execution. I'm sure that this has cracked open a whole new realm of possible permutations to your hei-tiki manufacture.
It's nice to see something done different AND well in art.
Props to the Kiwi!

ST

A very nice wee innovation there. Probably just as well he's going to the US - I could see these popping up all over the place if he was posted elsewhere...
also, what happened to those Rapa Nui fellas you were working on earlier in the thread...and what's all this talk I'm hearing about a tiki with a huge !$#@ ?

Beautiful! And Im sure the pictures dont even do it justice, yes? Keep up the good work! Shootz, Im blown away by all the pono work Im seeing!

Malama Pono!

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

Probably my last post for the year; carving officially finished today & I am more than ready for some hard-core R&R (if there is such a thing?) The past couple of days have just been tying up loose ends & a bit of a clean-up of the workshop.

KTD: Blue/green; got it!

Cheers Gman/JP/Gap/Sneaky/Kaha

Benz: If you're an imposter; Im an imposter! No, hang on... um.

Paipo: You're right. You gotta watch those Sneaky buggers! As for the other: its not the size thats the problem; it gets so bad; cant discuss here, :lol: - ack!

Following a discussion with Alientiki I thought Id flick a couple of pics up which show the re-working of neolithic Maori toki/adzeheads. This became a common occurance in the 1800s' due to the demand from (pred.) European visitors/settlers, who also bought with them steel tools which made the stone toki conveniently redundant anyhoo...

I have found a few pics of old reworked tiki/toki showing in part how the 'classic' image of Maori hei-tiki evolved.

Partially transformed toki/tiki...
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The original toki a little harder to see in this one. (looks as though it may have been found in a river or beach; got that softened/weathered look about it)
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And in this one very little remains of the toki form, but I would put money on this being a reworked blade.
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A bit amateurish after those fine examples, but a wee while ago I made an 'artifact' (arti'fiction' or artifake I calls it :lol:) for my own wall. Note the 'reworked' adze & 'original' broken hole. *Deliberately left enough evidence of 21st Century manufacture so as not to be accused of antiquities fraud! All part of my personal study, your Honour... Another small unfinished version dug out of the '80'.
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And because we're on the subject I thought Id flick a pic of 'Hei-tiki Kohatu' again; he was the product of a combination of power tools (internal holes) & traditional Maori 'scarfing'/sawing with stone tools. Not made as an adzeform, rather cut into a naturally shaped jade beachpebble.
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Feels good to have finished on a 'Traditional' note - 'Tra-la-la-la-laaah La-la-la-laahhh'...

Have a good/safe Xmas & New Year everyone!! Have a cold one for me :wink: & Ill see you in '07 for more Tiki Madness!

TamaTheTerrible :)

these antique ones are great! I always like to look at these old ones to get an idea of process and form. They're a great resource. But I like the new designs more.

Like this one.
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It looks traditional but it has a cartoon flare. It's my favorite.

Thanks for posting the pics of the traditional carvings.

Hope it's a good x-mas with lots of R&R for you.

[ Edited by: AlienTiki 2006-12-21 01:25 ]

Hey T3, I really hope your holiday is relaxing and you can wind down and get ready to do it all over again. Boy oh boy how I would Love to rummage around in that "Box of 80" you have stashed under your bench. I Know there are some futureprize winners there, Speaking of which, That last posted pic, 'Hei-tiki Kohatu',was if I can remember correctly a Prize winning piece you had in some big artsy fartsy art show?? I believe I have seen that one before and maybe it even won you some $$$?
Keep in touch during your holiday If you can..
HappyHappyHappy

On 2006-12-20 23:53, Tamapoutini wrote:
... couple of pics up which show the re-working of neolithic Maori toki/adzeheads.

Partially transformed toki/tiki...
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How were these originally attached to adze body/handle?

JP

Kind of like this Maybe?

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Or This?
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On 2006-12-21 17:24, Benzart wrote:
Or This?
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Yes, that is what I was looking for? Any Close ups?

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Here they just cropped a bit, best I could find.

Hey Tiki friends.

Thanks Alien: The Cartoonish one drawn up there is the origial of that particular style & still as you see it there. Im planning to keep that one for myself as I like the Madness of it myself.

Ben/JP: Im no expert on the Old bindings but do know that there were no holes in the toki-blades; occasionally notches or grooves at the butt-end to assist in holding the binding however. Smaller whao/chisels/gouges were either handheld or pushed straight into a shaft (with a hollow to accommodate) & again used by hand; no mallet.

Back home but well & truly stuck in holiday mode: I think production is over for 2006, but once the New Years hangover passes Ill have no excuses...

During our Christmas holiday out of town I retreived a large Hei-tiki from a gallery to try on eBay (ahem!). This piece was actually made a couple of years ago & after seeing it again was surprised at how nice it is (must have taken forever but I hardly remember making it!? - one of 'those' ones Ben :wink:)

The eyes are painted with a bake-on enamel modellers paint to represent the sealing wax used in antiquity. The stone is British Colombian jade (we have a local importer) which I used a lot more often in my early career - much cheaper & better quality than what is commonly available in NZ jade; a perfect material for the beginner though understandably not as popular in NZ.

Hope you likee & it suffices until production gets rolling again.

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*A few changes planned for '07, a website being one of the priorities. Finally thought of a business name-change last night & have secured the domain name for it. Ill keep you posted...

Take care & have a safe New Years!! Tama :)

Terrible-Tama the Terrible. I Really LOVE this Red eyed guy. Saw him on Ebay already and thought you were holding out on us.I was just there , reading the question a fan asked about the diff between NZ and BC Jade. I Loved the answer( about 10,000 miles!)

He is one of my favorite guyz. I Love how the Fullness shows with the roundong out that you normally don't do. That is My Style. Wish I had the bux as he wound be hanging 'round My neck. Looks like he just took the "Red-Eye" flight home. I can keep looking at this guy every day until you get back to work. In the meantime, Enjoy the rest of your holiday and top it off with a great, Happy New Year!!!

On 2006-12-21 16:18, JohnnyP wrote:

On 2006-12-20 23:53, Tamapoutini wrote:
... couple of pics up which show the re-working of neolithic Maori toki/adzeheads.

Partially transformed toki/tiki...
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How were these originally attached to adze body/handle?

JP

Johnny, I found a fw pix on this web site: http://www.spiritwrestler.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_35&products_id=1777
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You Can do It!

Simply beautiful as it always used to be when you work on jade.
Benjamin.

That last pic Benz posted is a great example of design overpowering common sense when it comes to stone carving - you could flick the manaia beak off the poll of that adze with your pinky. I'm amazed he managed to ship it to Canada in one piece.
I'm still waiting to see that tiki Tama...you know...that one...

On 2007-01-02 04:09, Paipo wrote:
I'm still waiting to see that tiki Tama...you know...that one...

Ok spill it Tama - you holdin' out on us?

YEah, I guess we are all waiting.

On 2007-01-02 04:09, Paipo wrote:
I'm still waiting to see that tiki Tama...you know...that one...

Tama sez: eek! I dont know if (He) can be shown here; (whatever credibility I may have as a mentally/socially healthy human-being may be in jeopardy...) *That said, I think I have a buyer... :lol:

Reluctant first day back at the bench today...

Tama :)

Tama - you know you have no credibility here...so you might as well show us the piece! :lol:

-Gman

On 2007-01-02 15:00, GMAN wrote:
..so you might as well show us the piece! :lol:

I second that!

Who knows, it May ADD to your TC Credibility, Go for it! :)

On 2007-01-03 05:50, Benzart wrote:
Who knows, it May ADD to your TC Credibility, Go for it! :)

:lol: Somehow I doubt it Ben! You guys are killing me...
Suffice it to say; the piece in question is of an eXXXplicit nature & probably not suitable for general show-and-tell. Paipo: come out for a visit & decide for yourself! If you then deem it suitable (& still choose to publicly call yourself my friend) I might consider it... Filthy stuff honestly, you dont need it! (this is all just adding to the curiosity isnt it?)You people are sick! :lol:

TamaTheTwisted :)

Yes, We're Sick, and You have the Medicine!Email it to me and I will help you decide.
Welcome Back from Vacation,btw, what a welcome, hey?

C'mon Tama!
Show a little XXX Tiki Skin! You've obviously been the victim of harassment before! Don't wait til Paipo gets down there to screen it! That's censorship man! This here is art! We're all artists and adults here-now let's see!Pretty Please?

Bring it!

Thanks Paipo/Gap/Benz/G/Jp & LLT - After much deliberation I have decided to take Ben up on his offer of private viewing to judge appropriateness for TC... Paip; check your inbox too... Oh hell, just email me if you want to see it..! :lol:

On a more respectable level; I resumed work on the Fez-Tiki today, working mainly on the fingers & have gone a lot deeper into the mouth. *Never one for making rash promises but we should see the end of this within a week (gulp),Ill admit Im a bit nervous about the 'fitting' as Ive never done anything quite like it. The plan is to make a few very small 'hidden-holes' on the back & tie in with a heavyish braid, invisible from the outside. Im probably going to use a fabric glue as well (that ok TKD?) to ensure that it fits snugly against the hat. **Happy to hear any other suggestions if anyone knows any tricks??!!
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*Done a bit more since taking this pic. We're getting there...

Tama :)

AHAHAHA, oh you naughty tiki! - "Somebody get me a towel..."
You know, this would have been very close of my two or three guesses (in terms of possible things the tiki may have been doing) - it must've been that video I lent to you a while back - you know the one*!

• it wasn't porn

$$ Shot!

On the fez piece, you could glue in a few earring studs and saftely attacth it that way. I believe that an epoxy would work well and you wouldn't need to drill a large hole thru the fez, just poke it thru and place the retainers on the stud and you are There, That way Bulletcould use it for Other applications too and it would be eazy. Do you understand what I am saying when I say "Earring posts and how they retain the piece to the Fez or which ever object???? If not, go look at a apir of earrings that have a post that goes thru a hole in the ear and has a bead type disk that slides down over the post and it has a locking mechenism that retains it saftely and releases it when ready to remove the piece from the ear or whearever.
Good luck with that explaination...
Cheerz,
Benz

Send the XX carving to me and then I will take a picture and post it for you!

JP

[ Edited by: Johnnyp 2007-01-04 10:30 ]

Never mind, I just saw it, you keep it and don't post! :o :lol:

It is hilarious though! I like your sense of humor.

JP

Nice try JP! That's a unique piece for sure. I think it's hilarious too.

You reckon the fez tiki just saw the "adult" tiki? :)

Thanks to all the filthier members for your interest in the XXX-Tiki. Hope you were suitably disgusted/amused... :lol:

A quick progression on the Fez-tiki.

A bit of cleaning up, working dry now.
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Im showing all these backlit pics because once attached were not going to see it again... Aue!
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And eye-sockets...
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Tommorrow belongs to bread n butter work; finalising a small group for restocking a local gallery shop. Ill try to get a pic once theyre done just to remind you what an ordinary non-tiki day looks like.

Take care Y'all. Tama :)