Some of My Favorite Carving Creations

I have a lot of favorite carvings. These all have a story. Here are a few of some creations over the last years that I loved doing and loved how they turned out.

Big Chief and Old man in Butternut.

Fisherman in Butternut given to my brother , Mark LeVeck, who served in the United States Coast Guard his whole career. Loved the pic my daughter Abby captured.

The man who got me into carving, my good friend, Marty Eddinger carved half of this and mailed it to me to carve the right side. I did not do it, until after his death. In honor I carved it and this piece is in my office in his honor. Thank Marty for the gift of carving!

This Greenman is kind of mysterious. I love the symplicity, yet the mystery it hold.

A beautiful sunflower that brings me joy, like my daughter who received this on Christmas morning.

Who doesn’t like Groot? My son Levi loves this, and now owns it, Groot is from one of our favorite movies.

Willow Man from the tree I grew up climbing. A fun expression and one of my first carvings with expression.

My oldest son was given this weathered fisherman.

One of my best Greenmen with the most leaves.

Hitting the shop while at home

With the corona virus keeping us home more than normal I am out in the shop carving more than ever before. I am trying to push myself and not carve just what I am familiar with. I did sell a carving through Instagram, so I ordered more Bark to keep me stocked to carve. Thank you for the amazing bark from Western Canada Cottonwood Bark. I will be carving more today. I have a few new pics. My daughter is a photographer and took some wonderful shots. I will post them below.

I am also looking forward to classes online with an amazing carver Alec Lacasse. Alec is one of my instructors and a personal friend. Here is a free lesson Alec Posted, then go to his sight to sign up for his class information (Click here) If you can ever carve and learn from Alec, you will be blessed, as I have. He is a great teacher.

Again, carving brings me peace. During these times we need the peace of God. Here are some recent pics. (Thanks again Abby of Storylines Creative)

A Medieval Dragon in Cherry wood. I love carving realistic faces but am stretching out.

Some final Touches

This is a prince of a distant land. His headpeice and the details symbolizes his royalty. I am not done with him yet, and yes I made this all up, but it’s my art :).

Black Friday Carving

I finished this guy I call “Deep Sleep”. I tried to pay more attention to the detail in the neck for more realism. I used a pic to help.

I did end up winning the blue ribbon and white (1st and 3rd) at the Bedford Arts show in the sculpting/ceramic/glass catagory. I was pleasanlty surprised that the “Four Face” won the Blue. The Chief took 3rd. I think the amazing grain in the wood that popped when I applied the finished sort of washed out the detail.

I had a lot of Christmas carving plans and it’s black Friday already. I will enjoy doing my best. It’s all fun and I don’t put pressure on myself that would steal the joy of carving.

Make time to create. TV is all the same, screens get old, and creating in whatever medium you enjoy, art, music, drawing, painting, carving, ceramics, scuplting, pyrography, is better for you heart, mood, and emotions than you know. I have found, that once I get out to the shop and get started, I never regret it. Getting started is the challenge. Keep creating friends.

2019 Bedford Arts Show, Temperance, mI

I put 3 carvings in the art show this year. I dropped them off today. I have been working on them on and off for the last few months, the last several months for the chief. The piece I call “Four Face” was carved out of cottonwood bark gifted to me from the great carver Alec Lacasse . He has been a great help to me, as teacher, coach, and friend. I’ll let you know if a nab a ribbon or not.

Entered into Art Show

Four Face

Guy in butternut from the 40’s with ears.

I’m not quite done with this guy. I have been avoiding him because I have not detailed ears much. A carver messaged me on instagram encouraging me to do ears. I did them and now I know I can do full busts with ears. They are tricky and I have more practice to go to perfect them. Butternut is a trick wood, as the grain chips. I love the look. I’ll be finishing this and will post the final pics.

Woodsculpting from a Pic.

I tried to carve from a picture as I am learning. It was a challenge, but turned out pretty good.  My guy appears younger than the pic.

Young man in cottonwood bark

This guys was fun. I loved the way his hair ended up.  I did not plan it this way but some times things are revealed and work out as the art progress.

Some woodcarving Pics

My amazing daughter came for a visit and took some pics while I worked. Her photography is amazing. (Here’s the link to her website).  I love her and her work and she always encourages me in my art.

Back in the Shop

After a little  of no carving through Christmas. I spent some time in the shop. I finished like a couple gifts  for Christmas.  Here are a few of the pieces I finished.

My latest 2 finished

The carving on the left was one of my better faces especially the nose and below the mouth.  He is a pretty stern looking dude.

My next project I tried to carve from picture of this actor. I have had the pic awhile and always looked at it. I finally decided to give it a try.  My son says I should do it like 5 times and see the improvement and the observations I would gain.  I may.  I see many things I missed as I study it.   But it was still an enjoyable project nonetheless.  I am getting low on bark so need to put an order in for the winter carving.  I may have more time as no yard work and I won’t be able to walk or ride mountain bike.  Carving on .

I am not sure if I will put this on my Etsy store. Here is a link to that. Click here