Neander Carving Project Complete (Warning, Big Pics)

[Mark Singer]

Matt,

Beautiful work! We don't see much carving here and this is exceptional! Where did you find the pattern, or is it your design? I am amazed!!!! Beautiful!

[John Shuk]

WOW! Awesome work!

[Roy Wall]

Matthew,

Like everyone before me ----excellent work!!!!!! The frame looks fantastic!!!

And, okay - I"ll be the first to bite................I see a "little old man with beady eyes and a large, flat nose (and a mustache)....... -----and lots of hair!!!

[Matthew Dworman]

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. To answer a few of your questions...

80 hours??! Looks fantastic, and I think that maybe you've done this kind of thing before!

Hi Maurice - thanks for the compliment, but this is the first completed project that I've ever carved. I picked up my first carving gouge 6 months ago. see below for further comments re: Sal's question...

what's your dog's name?

That's Beatrice - she turned 1 year old the day after Christmas...

Are you self taught or did you take classes?

Hi Sal - I've been taking some one on one instruction with a guy down in Worcester, MA - it's pretty informal, but it's instruction nonetheless. I Basicaly hang out in his shop and work on my thing while he works on his - when I have a question or a problem, he's right there to direct. His philosophy is that you can't be taught how to carve - only how to use the tools. The carving comes from you and the wood, but learning to use the tools properly allows you to work WITH the wood to get the desired result. He's a bit "not-traditional" as an instuctor, but for me it works. He's a true master in every sense of the word. What took me 80 hours to complete would literaly take him 10 - no kidding - he's that good. If anyone is interested in getting in touch with him to set up lessons, Send me a message and I'll forward you his contact information. I'll be going down to see him again on Monday. I'm working on a rosewood frame now. The pattern is a bit more complex and detailed this time and encompases the full circumference of the frame.

Where did you find the pattern, or is it your design?

Hi Mark - That is an origional pattern created by my instructor and myself. Making the pattern was the first 8 hours of carving! We hand drew it (1/2 of it) on paper, then transfered it to posterboard and I used the actual carving chisels and gouges to cut the pattern out of the posterboard. I then had a template from which I could trace onto the frame that would be symmetrical. I spent a lot of time "Learning" to see and draw flowing curves that allowed the pattern to appear "growing" and natural. No french curves or compases, just drawing, looking, erasing, and drawing again. If the pattern is no good, the carving won't be either (for a beginner like me at least)

Again, thanks for all the nice words guys. I posted this in another forum and had to say that after working on this for so long, I am very intimate with all of the flaws that I created. I have made and fixed many many mistakes on it and there are quite a few that are still there. I'm glad that nobody pointed them out, but mistakes are part of learning. Next time I'll make fewer.
Matt

[Alan Turner]

Very nice, and for a first carving project? Especially nice for that.
Alan

[David Klug]

Terrrriiifffic Matt.

DK

[Dave Right]

Fantastic! and what everyone else said too!

[John Dingman]

Matt,

I have no words, I am speechless. That is a work of art.

You did Great!
John

[Jim W. White]

As someone said earlier. .....I couldn't do that in 80 days!!

Was that peice made for the wife or to sell to someone?! This definately looks like a skill YOU could make a living with. Is that the case?

Just curious. NICE work! (NOTE: please disreard my questions ..I initially missed your follow-up post)

...Jim in Idaho

[John Carr]

Hey Matt, you told me you were "just learning" to carve. Doesn't look that way from those pics. That's a beauty.