Wall carvings

[cowboy1296]

all of the files came from vector 3d. the cowboy, the horse, the mountains, the cross, and were blended together with aspire 3.5. these were all individual files. this was my first project with aspire 3.5 and what i did not know at the time was that i could extract a sky from another file and place it into this one so i just did a pocket cut with the wrong bit. thanks for the kind thoughts. every time i make something i figure out ways to do it better next time.

the elk scene was made from butcher block alder purchased from perfect planks. the praying cowboy is made from willow. i think that is a trash tree but it does make some some pretty wood.

i just recently found a local furniture maker who will make me 8/4 clean/fancy/no knots alder planks for what i think is a reasonable price. 4 are ordered and i look forward to putting out some new stuff.

[danhamm]

A thin skin poplar carved praying cowboy...

[chiloquinruss]

Wow, that is just terrific. Did you pick out that particular piece of wood to get that sunset / mountain effect? It just turned out so very nice. Congrats! Russ

[danhamm]

Yes and no, I did with the idea, to let light through but didn't know what it would look like, My end purpose is to wrap some thin plywood around the edge and bond it..then put a back on with somekind of alumination inside for effect...seems like it should work out ok..
and thanks for your comment..

[myxpykalix]

Dan,
Check out "cold cathode lighting"
http://www.xoxide.com/dual-white-cold-cathode-kit.html
its cheap and generates no heat and the average bulb lasts 30,000 hours. if placed properly does not have hot/cold spots as I have seen in some alternative light sources.
Was this poplar a finished kiln dried piece? Did you have any problem with fuzzies? Good job

[danhamm]

I like carving Poplar, on 3/4 material i just use the finish no roughing with a slow first path...tha Fuzzies are mostly on the sharp slopes and sand easily.. hey thanks for that lead..thats what i was wanting...

[cowboy1296]

Its almost done, i still need to add some kind of top coat. thanks for the education on here.

[danhamm]

Hey that looks pretty darn good Rick...and kinda familiar to...lol

[cowboy1296]

YEAH i am a copy cat. i really like this eagle and wolf. a lot of good looking detail. i would have never known it existed if you had not posted yours. mine is not nearly as big, chances are no more then 20 inches tall.

[danhamm]

More wall hangings, playing with cedar log rounds, finding what works best to stain or seal them...so far tongue oil seems the best for not raising the grain.