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Thread: The Animal Family Project
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2nd May 2011, 06:25 AM #1GOLD MEMBER
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The Animal Family Project
The fermentation for this idea began in 1965. During this winter, I decided to carve a local animal face: the Elk. I quickly realized that I could keep the same basic facial structure and change the "hat-rack" to that of a number of other local beasts.
I wanted the carvings to be simple, almost paleolithic in character. They looked OK, one at a time in my hand but hung as a group, they have an "African" appearance to me. Cannot say I like them much anymore.
I have yet to do Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Cougar, Lynx, Bobcat, Wolf and Coyote. This would complete the local gang, all of whom can be found within 30 minutes of my house (except during the hunting seasons when they all evaporate.) I won't discuss Greggo, the Mad Trapper, but he certainly qualifies. Charming man, he knows me well enough that I can visit his place back up a side valley (picture) without getting shot at.
Western Red Cedar as a 4m 5/4 (25mm) deck board from the timber yard. Two in Alder, soft & white, local, carves like basswood. Drill press and Forstner bits for the tight curves, band saw for the outside, scrokk saw for the blind cuts. Very quick to rough out.
So. Clockwise from the upper caribou (45cm), bison (30cm), moose, elk, mule deer, white-tail deer, mountain sheep, mountain goat. Critique please, rock throwing encouraged.
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2nd May 2011 06:25 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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2nd May 2011, 08:26 AM #2Senior Member
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RV good to see that you finally got your camera sorted out!!!!
Your carvings make an interesting group and have a very "native" appearance, well done
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2nd May 2011, 11:11 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
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First it was Kodak Support that described how to try to get the camera running. Then, finally, I had something to fool with for the computer part. Otherwise, it made as much sense as learning to play a guitar with no strings. Then an offhand remark by member Springwater turned out to be the keystone.
I have a bunch more stuff nearly done. On the road all next week.
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3rd May 2011, 07:51 PM #4
You've got that paleoithic look down nicely, I think the African look is there a little, it's the antler like horns on the goat and sheep. Nice work.
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3rd May 2011, 08:49 PM #5
Good to see some individual interpretations of representation not relying on just the way the animal would look to the eye
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3rd May 2011, 10:56 PM #6Skwair2rownd
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Beautiful RV!!!.
I love the simplicity of the style.
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4th May 2011, 04:28 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Thank you. I no longer chase the goats and sheep on foot. I chase them by eye:
Nikon Prostaff 82mm 20X - 60X spotting scope.
I am in the city this week. Bought wood for the woodcuts of them all. Found all wood-block printing supplies EXCEPT the dang ink! Could not believe that.
When I get home next week, I must prepare the vegetable garden with Raven food.
Ièd like to use 12 ga. x #4 shot Raven repellant but they are protected.
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4th May 2011, 06:56 PM #8
I think they have great character and durable simplicity for want of a better phrase - maybe arcane sense is what I mean. Somethjing seems missing to them... maybe the torsos with legs and hooves?
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4th May 2011, 09:02 PM #9
Great to see you posting some pics Robson. The variety in woodcarving is really amazing.
I like the natural, native simplicity of the carvings depicting your local surround.
Thanks for sharing and offering us some diversity.
Pete
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5th May 2011, 04:32 AM #10GOLD MEMBER
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I have drawn full sized footprints and scale track sets for each animal on large sheets of paper.
When we celebrate Rivers Day in September, the kids will have a chance to become the ÈTrack StarÈ of McBride.
a) correctly name the animals
b) correctly match each footprint & track set to the animals.
I have yet to pitch this idea to the Arts Council. The artistic theme is ÈTracks Through The RobsonÈ with what ever spin the artists wish to put on it.
I suppose that I could have added llamas and alpacas to my list but despite the numbers, I donèt consider them local (and they donèt taste good.) Llama has a sweet after-taste that I donèt care for. Ironically, that allowed us to give a new definition to chip carving as that llamaès name was Chip. . . . but he got .30cal lead poisoning one day.
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20th May 2011, 01:56 PM #11GOLD MEMBER
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A bit of an update
As I had hoped, the Robson Valley Arts & Culture Committee took the idea of the tracks+animals test idea to heart. The library will bankroll book prizes. I was disappointed with the public turnout for Rivers Day last September. Just got lucky with an idea which I hope increases public participation. I won't see an extra penny but maybe some sales as there will be the usual artisans/artist's exhibition Hall.
I expected that this should be a kids game/contest so indulge me and allow me to predict the winner: little girl, possibly 2 years old. Dad is a guide/outfitter in the Robson Valley!.
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26th September 2011, 03:48 AM #12GOLD MEMBER
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Update:
Rivers Day has come and gone, September 24. I set out the 8 animal faces and eight footprints (life sized) with track sets. While mule deer and whitetail deer have similar foot/hoof prints, the whitetails tend to drag their feet just before they plant.
10 entries, best was 12/16. The Moms and Dads helped the little kids quite a bit. . . really a family affair, I liked that. A couple of "poster-boys" from Cabela's showed up, wearing every possible piece of hunting camo clothing sold. From the conversation that I overheard, they were so clueless as to be frightening.
Note to farmers: buy orange spray paint to print C O W and H O R S E on livestock.
D O G and C H I L D would be other good words to know.
Somebody asked me if I knew what all the animal faces were supposed to be. Tough question for me to answer, having created all the drawings and done all the carvings.
Our local library stepped up and bought 10 copies of a very good animal tracks book, a prize for everyone's participation.
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26th September 2011, 08:39 PM #13
This is great stuff to encourage and promote. Keep up the good work!
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28th September 2011, 09:03 AM #14GOLD MEMBER
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The Tracks thing began as a theme-oriented idea that I thought might attract more of the public to the entire artisans' showcase. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't.
I never intended those things to be a part of the juried/critiqued exhibition.
However, they are now! 2 month exhibition display. When all the real submissions are unpacked and stood up, I'll get some pix of my "fish-door" to post here.
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