Some of my carvings are on display and for sale at the new Art Gallery “Arts on the Market” in Downtown Toledo. This is a new Gallery with a lot of crazy great artists. I appreciate the owners, care, vision, and work. Scott is great to work with. Here is their FB page . https://www.facebook.com/Artonmarket/
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.
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!
A beautiful sunflower that brings me joy, like my daughter who received this on Christmas morning.
A popular woodcarving genre in faces is the carving of Green men. Green men were in many cathedrals in Europe before the 15th century. Historians are not sure why churches had them carved or sculpted there. Maybe a sign of new life in Christ? No one is completely sure. This one has 31 leaves. They are fun to carve as you can be very creative and the layout reveals itself to me as I go. I will enter this in an art show for competition in November if they still have it. Then it will be for sale.
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.
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.
I had given up on this face a few years ago. Even tested some paint on it. Well, I pull it out last weekend and redid it and was pretty glad I did not throw him in the fire.
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.
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.
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
This guy has been a blast to carve. I, again, tried to slightly turn the head. I have worked on the nose more since the last pic. I cut down the bridge. It was looking a little bulky. I still have to figure out adding the feathers, without enough room for the whole feather, thus completing the headdress. I might enter this one in the Bedford Arts Contest in September. I entered last year and my Green man won the Purchase Award. The Bedford arts council bought the carving.
Nate Elarton Wood Sculpting 