Thread: Ship and Horse Lovespoon Finished

great work !
Nice job on the pattern too, both sides fit in the same shape...
really nice and well done.

Thank you for the comment Copeau. I remember that magnificent Mucha hair-stick you carved and also an excellent antique mirror reproduction you were working on a while back.

Beautiful, beautiful work David, very clever with the matching patterns, your detail and finish are always first class. One question, is rock maple as hard as it sounds?.

Beautiful detail David, very intricate. Thanks for sharing your work

"is rock maple as hard as it sounds?."
Yes! But not as hard as some of our timbers, not as hard as saffron heart (Queensland) or queen ebony (Solomons). Rock maple is also not as brittle as some of the others. However it has a toughness about it and a fine close grain and texture.

beautiful work David

Absolutely gorgeous. I adore your work. Just stunning!

Can I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your wonderful achievement of Wood Carving magazines International Woodcarver of the year 2012 competition in the Knife Work category for your 'Birds' Lovespoon.

You must be very chuffed and proud. It is well deserved!

Thank you for your kind comments feather wood. Much Appreciated.

Exquisite as usual David.

I particularly like the cleverness of this pattern with such radically different themes on each side of the work but neither side imposing on the other. Very clever. Is it one of your own design?

If you are selling these things I guess efficiency comes into it, but honestly, I don't think there is a way to be really 'efficient' with stuff like this. People either recognise the effort it takes to make something like this and compensate you appropriately, or you end up working for the love of the art. I don't think you can 'speed' up the process much and maintain such stunning quality.

I didn't know about the 'carver of the year' thing.... congrats and well deserved mate!

Thanks Whitling, it is my own design, to suit a client that wanted a sea theme and a horse theme. This was version two of the design. The first design had (predictably) a sea horse, some kelp and anchor on the front, This fitted quite easily with the horse shape on the other side and sent me in the direction of 'two sides two themes'.

But, the horse was kept though not the sea horse. I had to fit an alternate sea-themed motif on the front. This created a challenge but it is one of the good aspects of commissioned work and in fact, working with timber in general. Part of your designing has to follow were the wood takes you as do your client's wishes. All these influences produce a final design that you may not have arrived at without them.

That is very, very nice.

Beautiful again.
Congrats!

Stunning piece David...(as usual)...great carving combined with exceptional design skills..a winning combination..

What he said!!!