Help needed to unlock a hidden treasure

[Peter36]

A friend gave me this little present when she returned from a trip to Tassie recently and I am trying to figure out what I can make from it .
It is 280x70x50mm
http://

She also brought back this little carving of a platypus

http://

but I do not want to just copy that .
Has anybody got any inspirational ideas and or pictures .I should point out that my carving skills would be less than 1 on a scale of 1-10 but I have a Foredom carver , a basic flexcut set and some good rasps etc .

Cheers

Peter

[clare]

Hi Peter,
Nice pieces....both! I'd suggest looking at some images that are roughly the shape/dimension of your wood and see what resonates for you and take it from there. I always think if something 'moves' you aesthetically (or otherwise) then you're half way there really. Of course it doesn't need to be realistic-abstracted forms inspired from realism give much more licence and are fun. That's my two bobs worth anyway!

[Earthling#44-9a]

I see a nude woman.

[ColW]

Pretty sure i saw a spotted ghecko in there

[underfoot]

I'd be tempted to clean up all the rough stuff first (bark, inclusions, stains ) etc,
then have another look at it, something might show itself.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Looking at it, I can't say I can see anything that includes the bark/natural edge. There are challenging pieces where a form is obvious after sufficient contemplation of the navel and there are... well... "just another lump of nice wood." To me, this is the latter.

Consequently, I'd put it aside until inspiration strikes... or as underfoot suggests, clean the bark, etc. away to see "what usable timber" you actually have. And hope that inspiration will follow.

The grain itself doesn't strike me as particularly exciting, or inspiring, but perhaps once you get the bark off it may give you some ideas.

Otherwise... quite a few pen blanks?

[springwater]

A flute, recorder or whistle or a boat carrying who ever they may be. If all else fails, put it under your pillow, something might come to you in the morning

[Peter36]

Many thanks for the comments guys. The huon pine is pretty bland and the weathered surface is probably the main feature.I thought i might cut the weathered section from the piece leaving a clean piece approx 40mm thick which I would try to carve a gecko from (like that idea ColW) I will glue the weathered section into a Tassie myrtle piece ( same technique as cuttting a drawer front into a table apron I guess)and carve the tassie myrtle down to the rough weathered level to try and make it look like a piece of wood protruding from the ground






Don't know whether to try a gecko like this


or to do a more conventional one.

[Johncs]

A friend gave me this little present when she returned from a trip to Tassie recently and I am trying to figure out what I can make from it .

She also brought back this little carving of a platypus

http://

but I do not want to just copy that .
Has anybody got any inspirational ideas and or pictures .I should point out that my carving skills would be less than 1 on a scale of 1-10 but I have a Foredom carver , a basic flexcut set and some good rasps etc .

Cheers

Peter

The other monotreme.





































Echidna.

[ColW]

Had something like this in mind, I've been seeing
a few lately since some reno's. Even had one on the
loungeroom wall. They are funny little creatures
Attachment 104983