EASTERN BLUEBIRD

EVENING GROSBEAK

RUSTIC CHESS SETS

About 20 years ago, while living in Long Lake, NY, my son, Zach, and I made an attractive Rustic Chess Set and the Chess Board to go with it.   Many games of chess have been played with that set on that board since then, and, when not being used for play, it makes a great decoration and conversation piece.  Seeing it reminds me of the day Zach and I took a little hike to find the right saplings for the pieces -- a very happy memory of spending quality time with my son.
I've decided to make a few more Rustic Chess Sets.  So, here is a slide-show of the process.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS

PILEATED WOODPECKER

I recently  completed a life-sized, female, Pileated Woodpecker designed to accompany her recently hatched nestlings on the left corner of a customers' fireplace mantle.  She will be over-looking her nestlings, but also showing some alarm at a struggling Black Bear cub attempting to climb the opposite corner.

CLAY MODELS

PILEATED WOODPECKER NESTLINGS

EASTERN CARDINAL

CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN

PYRRHULOXIA
"Desert Cardinal"
This beautiful bird - about the same size and shape of our Eastern Cardinal - makes his home in the arid southwest.  His powerful beak is designed for cracking seeds and accessing other desert fare.

AMERICAN TREE SPARROW

     As a naturalist and artist, the sparrow family has always held a special place in my heart.  Sparrows can be a fun challenge to identify, and their subtle beauty amply rewards a closer look. 
     The American Tree Sparrow is an infrequent visitor to my bird feeder, so it is always a treat to see one.  It prefers colder, more northerly regions, the bird books say.  I have wanted to carve them for years, but especially I was privileged to examine one closely, enabling me to fully appreciate its beauty.

MOCKINGBIRD

TREE SWALLOW

CLAY MODELS FOR CASTING

WINTER WRENS

This is the species and this is the pose I will be working on.

1. Monday, September 17, 2018 I spent the first part of the day experimenting with some new sulfur-free clay I recently bought to make models for molding and casting. I soon learned that the clay was far too hard. I ordered some softer clay.

2. I spent the rest of the day getting started on a new batch of Winter Wrens. This time, I hope to make them very round and very cute.

3. Wearing leather gloves and using the Spey blade on the Buck 307 jackknife, I begin to rough them out.

4. I switch to the Warren knife and a convex blade to rough out their beaks.

5. It can be difficult to derive three-dimension from a photo. But, gradually, the little wrens are taking shape.

6. The day ends with another spectacular sunset behind our cabin. After spending my day doing my best as an artist, the Master Artist effortlessly turns out a scene that no earthly artist can ever hope to reproduce. And, almost every evening, He treats us to a brand new, original, uniquely beautiful sunset.

7. There's no doubt about it: I really love making small, Pocketknife songbirds! Here's how the wrens looked when I went to the cabin for dinner at 12:15.

8. I finally finished shaping the plump Winter Wrens and was able to begin carving some fine detail.

9. There is still much fine carving to do, then the painting and mounting, but the wrens are beginning to take on their own character, and I'm pleased to think that I am getting closer to capturing the ping-pong ball shape I am after.

10. Wednesday, September 19, 2018 I resumed carving on the wrens just after 8:00, this morning. Shortly after lunch, I was able to finish carving the wrens, drill leg holes, and put them on paint sticks - ready for painting.

11. By 3:30, all the wrens had their base-coat on along with some of their detail.

12. I sorted through one of the tubs of driftwood in the garage and chose nine potential bases.

13. I painted the wrens all morning and finished them shortly after noon.

14. After putting wire 'legs' in each bird, I marked each base for their correct placement and prepared to drill the marked holes in the bases.

15. Here, all the wrens are mounted on their bases, and their toes have been added. I should be able to finish them, tomorrow.

16. Friday, September 21, 2018 I finished the Winter Wrens today, and they look very cute. They are now in the online Pondside Store.

"Free Room and Board" 
A Powertool carving of a Common Loon & Chick. 
Now in the collection of Mrs. Patricia Simmons. 

1. Monday, August 13, 2018 This was one of two 3/4-size loons I cut out some months ago. I finished the other one at that time. Now, it is time to finish this one. Today, I worked on its basic shape.

3. Loons have a distinctively-shaped head and beak --- much more difficult to 'capture' in art than one might think.

2. Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Good progress was made today on the loon's head and beak, as well as other areas of Major Detail.

4. I love the graceful form of a loon --- from the tip of its strong dagger-like beak to the end of it's rounded tail, and all the curves and contours in between!

5. Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Today, I really got inspired by a visit to L. Post Rustics in Ausable Forks! It was my privilege to meet the entire family. Every one of them is a master at what they do! What incredibly beautiful workmanship and art, combined! Seeing their amazing work made me eager to get busy on some of the finer detail carving on the loon.

6. The perfection of design of every creature God has made never ceases to amaze me! Talk about a Master Artist!

8. The loon's head has more texture than it's back, breast, and wings. Here, the head as been "stoned" -- given a preliminary texture using an inverted cone on the Foredom powertool. I also used a flat tip set on a low heat on the wood-burner to lightly "iron" the entire surface of the bill, giving it as smooth a surface as possible. It may not be very noticeable, but the loon's bill is slightly open to receive the tiny minnow I plan to insert in it.

9. This photo gives a closer view of the tail, crossed primaries, and some of the wing feathers where they overlap due to the wings being folded in repose.

10. Friday, August 17, 2018 My goal for today was to make a loon chick to ride on the adult's back. First I made a rough, clay model. Here it is, on a piece of clear plastic to protect the wood from the clay's oils.

11. I traced an outline of the clay chick on posterboard, then cut it out and traced it on a piece of wood thick enough for the chick. Then I cut the wood out to the patterns dimensions. To shape the bottom of the cutout to fit the contours of the loon's back, I scribbled on a piece of paper and gradually removed any wood from the underside of the cutout that picked up any pencil marks as I pressed it in place.

12. Using typhoon burrs, I began grinding away the excess wood.

13. Eventually, the chick 'hatched' and was taking good shape.

14. By day's end, the little chick was sitting comfortably on Mama's back, eager for the minnow -- which I look forward to making tomorrow.

15. Saturday, August 18, 2018 My goal for today was to finish the chick and make a minnow. Here, all of the preliminary work on the chick is done. Now, he's ready to be wood-burned. If you look closely you can see the dowel peg I inserted into the underside of the chick to position it exactly and firmly on the parent bird.

16. By 5:00 I was able to completely 'burn' the chick, make a tiny minnow, and 'burn' most of the adult loon's head and neck. This is the smallest minnow I've ever made, but it's the size I wanted for this project.

17. On August 14, we had a tractor-trailer load of hardwood logs dropped off at the cabin. The driver did an amazing job of backing the load into position.

18. Each day since they arrived, I've been sawing the logs into firewood length. Today, Wednesday, August 22, 2018, the weather was perfect for working outdoors --- breezy and cool, so I worked on the log pile for three hours in the morning and a couple more hours in the evening.

19. I took a break in the afternoon from 1-5 and finished burning the loon's head. Then I burned his tail and primaries.

20. I decided to "stone" some of the back feathers to give them a texture. I worked until 5:00, then went back to work on the woodpile. I expect to be able to finish the loon . . . and the woodpile . . . tomorrow.

21. Thursday, August 23, 2018 This was a day of finishing things up. After a little more work on the loon, including more feather-texturing and sanding, the carving was ready to be painted. Also, my 18-yr. old daughter Shannon and I finished cutting up the firewood logs, this afternoon.

22. The loon gets his base-coat of four colors: black, white, blue-black, and grey.

23. The chick was given a base coat, too, though its color was similar to the 'burned' chick.

24. Shannon and I finished cutting up all the hardwood logs, this afternoon, except for those used as "stickers". We'll cut them up later, when they are more accessible.

25. Friday, August 24, 2018 I spent quite a bit of time on the chick, today. Here, he's coming along.

27. I was able to make a good start on painting the spots on the loon's back.

28. My work day ended with a very special treat: the arrival of my two sisters! Here, they are spending some quality time with their mother on our screened porch. L to R: Margaret, Mom, Valorie.

29. Monday, August 28, 2018 The loon is nearly painted. This picture does not capture the beautiful iridescence on his neck and head.

30. Only another hour or two are needed to complete the painting, and then the loon will be ready for its finishing spray coat and glosses. Tomorrow is our 36th wedding anniversary, so "Free Room & Board" will have to wait until Wednesday to be finished.

31. Friday, August 31, 2018 Except for some very fine finishing details, "Free Room & Board" is completed! The end of another great project. Here the healthy loon chick, enjoying his free 'room', is eager for his next free meal.

32. Mamma Loon has a tasty little minnow in her beak and will soon give it to her growing chick.

33. The final photo of a beautiful carving capturing a glimpse of a common, north-country scene.

"Magnetic Flat Birds"

1.) Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Sixty-four 1/4"-thick birds have been cut out and sanded, and are now ready for the next step.

2.) The distinctive body pattern of each of the birds now needs to be drawn on the 64 cutouts.

3.) Thursday, August 2, 2018 After drawing on each cutout, I used the wood-burner to outline the pencil sketching.

4.) A closer look at the four species, after they've been "burned".

5.) For no special reason, I started, today, by painting the 16 White-breasted Nuthatches. I finished them shortly after lunch.

6.) Then I painted the 16 Song Sparrows, and finished them just as my studio wall-clock struck 5:00. I find this type of painting to be quite pleasurable.

7.) Saturday, August 4, 2018 It took me quite a lot longer than I expected to paint the Tufted Titmice, but I was able to finish them by 2:00.

8.) A closer look at the Tufted Titmice.

9.) I was hoping to be able to completely paint the Winter Wrens by 5:00, and I almost made it. I was done by 5:10. The final steps will be to spray the birds with a sealer, sand the back sides, sign them and date them, and put a magnetic strip on each of them.

10.) A closer look at the Winter Wrens.

A sleepy Screech Owl showed up in the studio, recently.

1.) Tuesday, July 17, 2018 Screech Owls like to sleep hidden, during the day -- often in a tree hollow. I'm going to do a powertool relief carving of one doing so. After making a rough sketch, I drew the basic outline on a block of Basswood.

2.) The 1" Typhoon burr really throws the sawdust, as I begin the carving.

3.) Switching to a smaller karbide bit, I continue to shape the owl and the surrounding bark.

4.) It really didn't take too long to begin to "see" the owl sitting in his tree hole.

5.) Wednesday, July 18, 2018 I was eager to get out to the studio this morning to continue working on the little Screech Owl. Using a variety of bits and burrs, along with the wood-burner, I made good progress.

6.) The late afternoon sun is casting dark shadows on the owl's first coat of paint.

7.) Thursday, July 19, 2018 Except for adding the finish and glossing the beak and talons, this fun carving is completed.

Yellow-shafted Flickers   

One of the most beautiful birds in the northeast.

1.) Monday, July 2, 2018, 94 degrees inside the studio! Here is the initial pattern and cutout.

2.) I spent the afternoon -- very warm! -- roughing out this prototype. I will use it to improve my pattern for two more cutouts.

3.) Tuesday, July 3, 2018 I changed the pattern slightly and made two more cutouts.

4.) There was a lot of wood to remove, but by day's end the two new Flickers were fairly well roughed out.

5.) Thursday, July 5, 2018 Today's work consisted of continuing to Rough-out and carve the Major Detail on the three Flickers. Good news? They are now ready for Fine Detail.

6.) Friday, July 6, 2018 Most of the Fine Detail carving is now done. Time now for some Minor Detail carving! ; )

7.) Saturday, July 7, 2018 Another good day of carving. By 5:30 p.m., the three Flickers were all carved and ready to be painted.

8.) Monday, July, 9, 2018 The Flickers got their base-coat of paint. Now, for some detail.

9.) Thursday, July 12, 2018 A good day of painting detail on the three Flickers. Maybe I can finish painting them, tomorrow.

10.) Friday, July 13, 2018 After a day of fine detail painting, the Flickers are very close to being ready for their bases.

11. Saturday, July 14, 2018 I did just a little more painting on the Flicker's this morning; then they were ready to be sprayed with a sealant.

12.) I took the birds outside and put them on the studio railing to be given three coats of satin spray.

13.) A very nice assortment of bases to choose from.

14.) After affixing the birds to their mounts, I made their feet and toes out of coat-hanger. I then did all the "finishing touches", including painting the feet, glossing the feet, eyes and bills, etc. This is a picture of the only table-mount I made.

BARN SWALLOWS

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS

Eastern Painted Turtles

1.) Monday, July 23, 2018 Saturday's "Made in the Adirondacks" show was a pleasure to participate in. Now it's time to get back to work. ; ) I drew a new pattern, cut out six E. Painted Turtles and made good progress roughing them out.

2.) Tuesday, July 24, 2018 Another full day of carving resulted in completing much of the Major Detail on the six turtles.

3.) Wednesday, July 25, 2018 The turtles looked like this when I left them, yesterday.

4.) Today, I refined their carapace and plastron contours, and started working on Fine Detail.

5.) Thursday, July 26, 2018 The turtles are almost completed; a little more work on them tomorrow, and they will be ready for their first coat of paint.

6.) After drawing the carapace scutes with pencil, I outlined them with a wood-burning tip.

7.) I did the same thing on the turtles' plastrons.

8.) Friday, July 27, 2018 I was able to finish all the Fine Detail carving and wood-burning on the turtles by noon.

9.) Saturday, July 28, 2018 The picture may not show it, but I painted the turtles for five more hours, today. As usual, it will take me one more painting session to complete them -- next week.

10.) By 5:00, the turtles had been given a good base-coat of paint.

11.) Monday, July 30, 2018 I painted fine detail on these turtles until lunchtime. After lunch, I gave them two coats of varnish.

12.) A closer view of one of the finished turtles. Soon, I will upload the available turtles to this website store.

AMERICAN BITTERN

The video, below, was taken of the Bittern after it was painted and before it was sprayed or its eyes, beak, legs, etc, were glossed.

PAINTED BUNTINGS

CHICKADEES

GOPHER TORTOISE

SPOTTED TURTLE

SWIMMING OTTERS

ORNAMENTAL LOONS

The next Ornamental Bird project is Loons.  I'll be making 15 each of four different poses.  Some are on order by a local store.  The rest will be for sale on my website.

FAMILY FEUD

Powertool carving involves using electric-powered tools to grind the wood away and to texture it.  Here is a slide show of the process of converting a solid block of basswood into a difficult and intricate carving, using "powertools".

SNAPPING TURTLE

LITTLE GREEN HERON

WOODCOCK

HORNED GREBE, winter plumage

 Quite a few years ago, on a very cold mid-winter night, while driving through the country on a state highway in northern NY State, my headlights picked up a Horned Grebe in the middle of the icy road.  I imagine the bird had been blown far off course in a winter storm and had mistaken the shiny road surface for water.  Since these birds require a run across the water to become airborne, the stranded bird was unable to take off.  I picked him - or her - up and brought her home.
     The grebe floated buoyantly and peacefully on a few inches of water in my bathtub, with its head pulled back and 'hunched' between its 'shoulders'.  All seemed well, but the bird died during the night.  
     I sketched the grebe as it floated in the tub, and roughed out a carving of the bird, not many days later.  I always intended to finish the carving, but that roughed out grebe has been part of my studio 'decor' for the past 25 years, or so.      Finally, I'm getting around to finishing it.  Unfortunately, my memory of the bird has dimmed, and I can find no pictures of the bird in this particular pose.  I'll just do the best I can.

ORNAMENTAL BIRDS

     My mother and I worked happily together to design, hand-draw, wood-burn and paint four bird species ornaments:  Cardinals, Goldfinches, Bluebirds, and Chickadees. 
     The project involved drawing patterns, cutting the birds out on a bandsaw, sanding the edges of each bird, drawing detail on the cutouts, wood-burning the detail, painting the birds, and varnishing them.  Here is a slide-show of the process.

BLUE-THROAT

ROADRUNNER

CARDINALS

CEDAR WAXWING

GREAT-HORNED OWL

WARBLERS

EASTERN BLUEBIRDS

BLUE JAY FLEDGLINGS

BLUEBIRD FLEDGLINGS

SNAPPING TURTLE

---

---

COMMON LOON in DISPLAY POSTURE

FLEDGLING ROBINS

BOBOLINK

Here's a bird I have "always" wanted to carve!  I'm so glad I'm finally getting around to carving some!  I used to love to see them and hear them, while growing up in upstate New York and Canada.  It has been many years since I've seen this special bird.  It's time I make one to hang on my wall.

WINTER WREN

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH

VERMILLION FLYCATCHER

TUFTED TITMOUSE

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS

EASTERN PAINTED TURTLES

CACTUS WREN

HERMIT THRUSH

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER

CHICKADEES

A 3/4-size Common Loon
For the past few weeks, I've been carving Loons - partly because I was asked to provide some for the newly opened Adirondack Loons & Trails store in Saranac Lake; partly because I am fascinated by these beautiful birds, and never tire trying to capture their anatomy and 'essence'. 
I didn't take photos of this Loon's earlier progress, because other slide shows [below] of previous Loon carvings show the procedure.

18" COMMON LOONS

7" COMMON LOONS

10" COMMON LOONS

14" COMMON LOONS

CAPE MAY WARBLERS

CARDINALS

SANDERLINGS

If you've ever been to the beach, you've probably seen these cute little birds running along just out of reach of the waves.  Except for a single Solitary Sandpiper I carved as many as forty-five years ago, or so, these will be my first shorebirds.  I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out!

LINCOLN'S SPARROW

Here's another species I'm carving for the first time: the very handsome and secretive Lincoln's Sparrow.  I've wanted to carve this bird for quite a few years, so I'm thankful for a customer who recently suggested that I should carve some of the lesser known and seldom seen Adirondack species.  

BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS

Bay-breasted Warblers being painted . . . .

HERE

EASTERN BLUEBIRD

Carolina Wrens 

SNOWY OWLS HATCHING - two poses at once

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES 

My daughter, Megan, and I made some trial videos a few weeks ago.  You'll hear me talking to Megan, and you'll notice we have some wrinkles with focus and distance to work out.  But these are a start, and they'll at least give you a rough idea of what's to come in time as Megan and I perfect our methods.

BURROWING OWLS