TREE OF LIFE
This whimsical tree is made from oak.
As the oak is as hard as it is, this was a 100% power tool project.
I was able to use almost all my selection of power tool cutting bits, thus making it a great learning experience.
I was also able to get some new camera experience in, as I made use of my "early Christmas present" that I accidently opened when I met the courier at the door and wondered what he was delivering.
Because I wanted the bark on the tree to look as real as possible, I took the camera out and got some good shots of some very course bark on a cottonwood tree in my neighbourhood.
Carving of faces with power tools is an experience in itself. Although I started out with ideas in mind for all four faces, by the time I was done only one of the faces was the same as I had imagined. Oh well, that's what's enjoyable about carving - you never know what's final until it's done.
Staining came next. Because I had never stained oak before I didn't know how the colors would take. Again, the final outcome not what I was trying for but in the end it looks ok. The roots were done with dark mahogany, the trunk with 2 coats of provincial and the faces done with one coat of provincial and the whole thing finished with 2 coats of clear sealer.
Size: 3" Wide x 3" Deep x 8" High
NOV, 2013