Bellamy Eagles
In the late 1800’s New England carver John Bellamy made a unique folk styled eagle. He often traded them for a bottle of whiskey. Today his work is in high demand and has gone for over $600,000 dollars in auction. I am in inspired by this style and have made many of these. Often they are retirement gifts for co-workers.
I typically make these with a base block for the body and wings then attach a larger piece for the head. This works better to attach the head after carving the feathers beneath. I often temporarily attach the head with woodscrews so i can remove it before attaching it permanently.
Another useful technique is to undercut from behind to give the illusion of much thinner wings but it retains it strength since the undercut is just in the first half inch or so.