Hi to those who may be following my latest project, and welcome to those who may have just tuned in, I have just added a few more pic's to the project page of where I'm at with this. Wondered why the first mallard took me around 3 months to complete from start to finish, but recording time on this second mallard can see where time has gone, the head and body of the 2nd mallard was quicker than the first, but taking two and a half weeks to do one wing, and yet not painted, may add up to where the effort has gone.       I could not help myself to temperately mount the second bird in the way I would like to finish this carving, just to see if it would balance itself on the tip of the bottom mallard with out any fixing, and yipee it worked, but must admit I stepped away very slowly to admire, the finish project will have some sort of fixing, for transporting around.                           Last evening we had our carving class, so today the Wednesday the 20th might just be a little more of relaxation, with a fresh start in the studio tomorrow, until next time, take care, Regards Ken.

Last couple of days, (due to cold weather again, after our little warm spell), have got myself back into my studio and on-to  my second mallard, by forming the body to near the final size, concentrating on the support fixing of the tail, as this is where I intend to connect to the tip of the first mallard upper wing. The plan is to form the two aluminium tail feathers to act like a peg, and straddle the wing aluminium feather, where I can possibly rivet together all three with epoxy clue, then to carve wooden feathers to cover any fixing, the next step will be a matter centre of gravity. 

Have added some more photo shot's of latest progress to work in progress page

Tomorrow's Friday the 8th, and I'll will be taking time out to visit our mum (92 next birthday) at the "Groft" rest home, I try to visit her 3 to 4 times a week, more if possible.        Been in the home since February, and has settled and accepted that it is now her new home with companionship and full time nursing care, which gives her children some peace of mind, that she is in a safe place. anyway its getting late ,until next keep safe, regards Ken.

Start of August and the weather has been unbelievable. a week ago we were having temperature's of minus 3 and 5 and only getting to 9 decree's for the day, with snow falls on the back country, then along comes August and we,ve  been having 20 to 22 decree's with warm fern winds from the  west, so I have been in the garden pruning and cutting lawns, instead of being in the studio.

Saturday the 2nd, went back to the studio where I have started second Mallard, for my " Mallard Project ", posted six new photos of shaping the head, also a drawing complete with my sizing if you are interested,  I have only carved and sanded to near the finished size with feather texturing to follow once I have attached head to body, but that will be the next step. This bird is to stand and be supported on it's tail feathers so I will be removing as much material as possible to keep the weight down, so here we go, now where did I put that body block down. until next time stay safe, regards Ken.  

O blimey seven months of this year almost gone, and I was hoping to have a bit more done by now, with some back-up carvings for up and coming shows and other events, but we will get there as long as I don't panic.

I recently I ordered and received two of Floyd Scholz books :" Birds of Prey" and "Golden Eagle" ( the art of Bird carving) a must to read, I did not put them down until I read from cover to cover with both books, then suddenly had the horrible thought that I still have a long way  to achieve my dreams to-become a master at my art. What was in these books was so inspiring, it has just given me a very positive goal to achieve more and more.

His detail in the lay out is fantastic from his subjects action to the burning of feathers detailing and painting, just awesome, he can also be found on Google and you-tube, if you wish to carve birds, they are a must to read or add to your collection, as the principal is the same for a large bird or a small song bird. His full size Golden Eagle took ten months to finish, so my project of the two mallards may take six months may not be so bad after all. 

Please bare with me of late, as I am trying a few changes with my site to help improve  traffic, most changes are behind the scenes with search sites,  so I hope that they don't cause any problems on the site, until next time , take care regards Ken.

Stage 2 of the Mallard project begins, and as promised I have add a photo gallery to the Project Page.
         As the bird develops in stages, I will add photo's to the  gallery's, I know that this has been done before through you-tube and other mediums, but I would like to form my own picture gallery for my own satisfaction, and you are most welcome to download if you wish.
          Last month, I was guest artist for the wood turners club, and I demonstrated patterns to carve on turned wood, so for the end of July's meeting, the members are required to achieve a turned item complete with added carving, its going to be interesting. Two examples I had are as follows: 
          And the project I hope to enter is a Goblet turned on lathe then a grape vine carved around  the stem ( just started ) still have a week to go !!!!!.

So until next time take care and be safe, regards Ken.

Ya ho, today  is looking promising, woke this morning feeling a lot better, week of medication, may be doing the job, hopefully shaking of the flu bug, a week of achieving very little.

Had an appointment for an ECG this morning and the results are all good, so that promising.

Set up public display of Carvings and Wood Turning at the Timaru  Library this morning with Eddy for a club promotion and public awareness drive for new members which we hope will be promising. (will take some photos soon, and will add to blog.

And last but not lease, according to site stats  100 + hits on the web site for one day, the first time since setting up the site back two years ago, so that's very promising, thank-you for the support, can we reach 200 each day, that would be really PROMISING, until next time take care Ken. 

NEW

I now have some of my art being placed on the site called (www. Pinterest.com ) which allows you to great "boards" of photos off interest to you, that you can follow. Shane, my second youngest son has started doing small metal art and is also into this site, so its going to be interesting where it may go. What ever your interest is give it a go, you may be amazed.

        The month of July is about to get interesting, as I was privilege to be guest artist at the Turner's club demonstration evening last month to apply carving to turned wood,  the challenge for club member's is to bring along to the demo table, end of July their turned project complete with some form of carving to the surface. Turning for me is a challenge in it self so carving may be the opposite for some of our Members, it going to be very interesting, hope to place some photo's on the results later.

Until next time take care, regds Ken.

 

I'M Back, but there has been so much water gone under the bridge since my last entry, and I must apologize for that, and as this is going to be a short note , I will in the very near future try to bring all things up to date.  As mentioned  above a lot has happened, the carving group at the turners club finished on a high with some members very surprised at their achievements, considering that they had mainly worked on a lathe in their art form, than handle carving chisels so that was a great success, and we intend to run another group about April/May 2014 again this year as well.

Before we new it, Xmas was on us, with Family home and visiting those who had not seen us for awhile, removed me from the work shop, so not a lot of carving was achieved. But with the great team of  Ijan and Pip at the Akaroa Gallery Lavaud they were having a little success of some sales of my work to local and overseas travellers, so that put a little smile on my face. I will add some new photos of resent work to the gallery page soon !!, but for now and until next time very soon take care. regards Ken. 

Hi all,a while ago I registered my-self  with a web site called woodcarvingillustrated.com, which is an awsome site for carvers and other discipline's with wood craft. On this site you can post your work through photos and your own comments on how or why you did the carvings, in return you may recieve comments back, through other members, passing on their experience, which can be awesome. Recently I posted my lastest photos of my Macaw and recieved some great response, 12 in all on the first day it was posted,  first couple mentioned be low,which means I will have to keep on carving more birds, if you carve check out the site its well worth it and its free to be a member. catch up soon, regards Ken.