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27 Dec. 1991Tupelo wood for carving,circular saw plywood blade review,shed plans 16x24,blueprints for woodworking projects - For BegninnersThe last weekend in October saw the transformation of my chunk of wood into a wren when Ernie Muehlmatt hosted one of his bird carving workshops down in Salisbury, Maryland.We used tupelo wood, which has no definite grain pattern and is soft and easy to work with. Moss is a common feature of carving habitats and requires endless drilling of holes to accomplish the look. Easy going and gifted with a good sense of humor, Ernie made the atmosphere of the workshop comfortable and inviting for a first-timer like me. That’s when I developed an affection for my little guy because now it could look out onto the world.  The magnificent rendering of a falcon perched on a glove inspired Jim to pursue the study of bird carving under Mr. Maas uses his practiced surgeon's capability for fine hand-eye coordination to expertly capture the realism that is so vital in the field of competitive bird carving. In addition, his carvings have been on display at the Chris Murray Studio Workshop in Stowe, the Ducktrap Bay Trading Company in Camden, Maine, and at the Community National Bank in Newport, Vermont. A band saw is what a lot of carvers use, but I don’t have the room for one, or the desire to donate any fingers to the cause, so I will most likely be getting a jigsaw later on. Every component in the piece–the branches, the leaves, the pine needles, and rocks are carved from wood as well as the main bird.  Just one mistake and entire piece that may have been weeks, months of long hours and excruciating concentration are for nothing. Of equal or greater importance to this genre, however, is a sensibility for discovering meaningful, artistic statements within these realistic depictions of avian life. He uses a variety of painting techniques and tools to bring life to his carefully fashioned carvings.  |
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