Steampunk Whale

Posted Leave a commentPosted in SteamPunk, woodcarving

I entered this piece in a brewery themed show at the Loveland Galleries. The concept was that this steampunk whale was carrying a Pirogue filled with beer kegs from the brewery. The whale has many steampunk influences.

A Pirogue is a type of canoe and more importantly one of my favorite beers from Warped Wing Brewery here in Dayton, Ohio.

The piece sold immediately and more importantly was award first place in the show.

Making St Nicholas look old

Posted Leave a commentPosted in St Nicholas, woodcarving

Many visitors in the studio comment on on how my St Nicholas carvings look antique. The process is really simple. I stain the carvings with layer after layer of color to build up the richness of the color, but the thin layers allow the figure (grain) of the wood to show through. Then I coat it with a really thick layer of gel stain and wipe it off with clean soft rags.  The photos show the process.

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These are two Russian Dez Morod figures.   The Gel Stain is applied and ready for wiping. You might have guessed this is a messy process to say the least.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lost Art Press Sign

Posted Leave a commentPosted in British Pub Signs, Lost Art Press, Relief Carving, Uncategorized

This is a recent commission for Lost Art Press. They needed a new handmade wooden sign for their tradeshows. The sample was used to make sure that they liked the design and I am just starting on the full size sign. It is approximately 36″ high. It is loosely based on British Pub signs from the 1700’s. Most were painted but this one will be carved.

The top will have a pin for a removable finial. As part of this job I will also carve  a traditional carved pineapple, a beer mug and martini for starters. They will swap out the finials based on their mood.

Full Size Pattern for Sign
Full Size Pattern for Sign

Lost Art Press Sample Sign
Lost Art Press Sample Sign

German Club KristkindleMarkt

Posted Leave a commentPosted in St Nicholas, woodcarving

This was my first foray into selling my work in a public space. The Dayton Ohio German Club was a perfect venue to start off in. Lots of great food and drink along with a really interested crowd. This picture was in the Dayton Daily News about the event.

Wood carver David Bignell chisel way at an German “Old Christmas Man” figure at Dayton Liederkranz-Turner’s Christkindlmarkt. The third annual German Christmas market originated in Nuremberg, Germany. Staff Photo by Teesha McClam