"New" Chisel

I have had a chisel for like 20 years and never knew what it was for. I know it sounds crazy. I guess it just never struck me. I looked at it a bunch of times and it always seemed like it was backwards or something. Well, today I figured it out and I am sure many people who read this will think it is ridiculous that it took me so long but I guess I am just slow sometimes. Here is the chisel:






















And here is how it is used:





















Also I know it looks very rusty. Well two things about that, one, I assure you it is sharp as a razor, and two, I did not value it very highly because I thought it was just an awkward tool that did not have much use. But what it actually does is create a really nice undercut, and believe me this sculpture is all undercuts. Also, I have entered a new phase in this carving, defining transitions. Most of the major masses are found and now I'm figuring out how each shape relates to the ones around it. I think this is my favorite part of carving however with this sculpture and at the rate that I am working I am sure I will be doing this for the next year or so. But I do think the forms are becoming more defined. I am also getting more and more frustrated that I am not looking at the form as it will be ultimately displayed which means that I need to address the base or at least one that approximates the final position of the sculpture. Here is where I am now.

Long time no carve

We have a week off from school and it is the first time since the school year started that I felt like carving

Dental Work

Been working on the teeth. Good idea Tony about the sequential pics.

91 hrs.

I have spoken to a couple of people who have asked what the piece is about. In order to explain I think I need to speak a little about my world view, I'm not a religious person but do view the role of humans as only a small element of the greater whole (everything) like cells in a body. When I look at our attitudes towards our world the human race seems a lot like cancerous cells, growing themselves at the expense of the whole. So when I personify other parts of our greater being I imagine anger and frustration at the humans. This is a theme that has run through my work for years. The only pieces that I have that are related to this theme are a couple of angry fish that I have.




I have one other piece that is somewhat related, Medusa was inspired but the somewhat brutal pruning technique called pollarding which is the process of completely removing all of a trees minor branches annually or biannually in order to keep the tree small but shortens the lifespan of the tree by 1/3 or so.

Getting Thinner

OK I have a few thoughts today. First, I don't know what I have been complaining about even if I never finish, can't sell a thing, and never have anyone ever notice what I am doing I love working on this carving. Second, I got a second strap clamp today and it makes a huge difference. The stability really helps. And third and lastly as I have previously stated, carving this wood with all its worm holes and the thin forms is terrifying. I know I'm hella repetitive. Too bad it's my blog.

Well I am home again. But now it is almost time for school to start again. I must say that this has not been the productive summer I had hoped for. I am now at an even 80 hours and I would guess that I am at least 70 away from completion. I am enjoying the process but I confess that I get disheartened at my lack of progress. Many people that I show my work to don't ever give any response one way or the other. That worries me. Way back in art school you always got feedback, sometimes very harsh feedback but at least you knew where you stood. Working on your own is a lonely and uncertain endever. I wish I was in some kind of crit group or something. Ahhhh. I work so slowly it would have to meet no more than every 6 months.

Incrimental Changes

Worked on the right side today.

Front Right Back Left

I have been struggling to figure out how to photograph this thing. I don't really know why I have not thought of this but I think the best way is the simplest, front, right, back and left. I feel that the right side is the one side that is really not working.

Front

Right

Back

Left

I'm Home

Got a couple of hours in yesterday. I am still honing down the facial forms to get them more like flames. It is a little counter intuitive because usually you are trying to get things more recognizable and in this instance I am actually moving away from recognition. But I think it will end up making the final piece more subtle.