New Project #2 WIP

[Bruce Jones]

Hello once again everyone, this is the start of project two of seven projects I'll be working on this fall / winter.

[Bruce Jones]

And as the carving begins. I removed the large sections with a scroll saw first.

[Bruce Jones]

The bowl section project two Ambrosia Maple with under cut rim. I really like this carbide cup cutter tool from Simple Tools. I used this first then the goose neck carbide scraper to cut the inside to less than 1/4" thick.

[Bruce Jones]

More photos.

[Bruce Jones]

Todays progress photos, The cross grain carving on the Ash shells is a bit slower than carving them in Maple. I just really like how the grain makes the shells look real. Everything has been laid out and rough cut on the scroll saw. Here are some shots with things at various stages.

[Frederick Skelly]

Appreciate seeing these Bruce. It's always interesting to see how you actually do the work!

Question? When you glued the segments together in Post #1, they were glued end-grain-to-end-grain. Then you rough-cut on a scroll saw, which reduced the width of the glue joint down to about an inch. I'd expect that to be somewhat fragile. Is it really? If so, how do you prevent joint breakage when carving inevitably applies pressure to that 1" wide end grain joint?

Sorry if that's a dumb question - Im not much of a Turner. I just kept wondering as I studied the pictures.

Fred

[Bruce Jones]

Fred Yes it is end grain to end grain then it is cut to about 1/2" then carved to even less. If the glue seams are done correctly it's very strong, but I'm still careful while carving.

[Bruce Jones]

Okay here's a video of my carving process, this is the outside of the shells part one.
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https://www.facebook.com/serenityartisans/videos/1791583457874595

[Bruce Jones]

Part Two of the video.

https://www.facebook.com/serenityartisans/videos/3284035251886192

[John K Jordan]

Your WIP posts keep getting better and better.
I looked at your first photos and got to the point where I could understand where you were heading and my first thought was "a class with Bruce would be amazing." Then a few more posts and there was the carving class in video!! So interesting, so valuable.

I love the leather pad. I also learned from your v-gouge handling. I often carve away from me or sideways/at an angle but I can "see" now that your carving method would allow watching and controlling the cut better. I've only had time to watch part of the first one, maybe more tomorrow. (I've been digging and moving a lot of dirt and rock today and recently, a form of carving and shaping but in a different medium :))

Well done. My earlier thoughts are reinforced, seeing (and watching) the work in progress adds new dimensions to the finished piece, not only an inspirational glimpse into your thought processes but a powerful feel for the depth of the effort that goes into the finished piece. Very well done. (Hey, feel free to interpose a few more drawings from your sketch book, even some early concept sketches!)

BWT, if anyone else had trouble at first with the videos, for my computer making them full screen worked.

[Bruce Jones]

Thank you John, I'm glad you were able to get something from the videos. I have a great deal to learn about cinematography. People would probably learn even more in person and would be able to see how I move the piece for different cuts. Believe it or not I do not really draw sketches of my pieces, I just work with the different parts rearranging them. This helps me with scale and proportions while designing pieces. I will be making another video showing how I create the inside of the shells, stay tuned.

[Bruce Jones]

Carving the inside of the shells.


https://www.facebook.com/serenityartisans/videos/1101637797135508

[Bruce Jones]

So the work continues, at about the half way point on this section. The Shell rim is carved from Ash and the main body is Ambrosia Maple at this point it is 12" D x 4" tall still a good bit of work yet to do.

[John K Jordan]

So the work continues, at about the half way point on this section. The Shell rim is carved from Ash and the main body is Ambrosia Maple at this point it is 12" D x 4" tall still a good bit of work yet to do.

Hey, will the finished shell carvings be up or down? Quite a different look!

[Bruce Jones]

Hey, will the finished shell carvings be up or down? Quite a different look! The inside of the shells will face up. I will be adding more to this piece so I don't want to reveal everything just yet, but I will show all of the build once I have it completed. I think you'll like the finished piece.

[Bruce Jones]

Okay I just finished turning the second Ambrosia Maple blank I had ordered. This one was 5" D x 3" this is the start of the base for the Seashell Project and will be cut & carved.

[Bruce Jones]

A few more photos.

[Bruce Jones]

Okay everyone here is some of the finish on the bowl part of this seashell project. There is still a good bit more to make then put the whole project together.
The base color (textile dye) was applied with an airbrush. Then the stripes were applied with the airbrush using DecoArt Metallics acrylic paint. Then the dots were applied using a bamboo stick, this material was made from mixing the Metallic paint with Mod Podge.

[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks! Look forward to seeing more!

[Bruce Jones]

"Tangaroa's Bowl" progress update I had to work yesterday but was able to get somethings figured out. Thank you Fred...

[Bruce Jones]

A few more photos

[Bruce Jones]

The carving continues, all most done with the third dolphin.

[Bruce Jones]

Getting closer to the finished piece. Just a few more pieces to add and finish carving the shells, the ash is very hard but gives such a nice look for the shells.

[Bruce Jones]

"Tangaroa's Bowl"
This piece finished at 12" D x 7 1/2" made from Ambrosia Maple, Ash and Oak. Then colored with textile dye and metallic Acrylic paint threw a airbrush. Every piece was first turned on the lathe before carving except the dolphins and they are suspended in air with a piece of sterling wire.

[Bruce Jones]

Okay guys taat is the end of this project, I'm working on several others but I'm not going to post the progress photos as I go so I can concentrate on the work. When I post those pieces if you want to see any part of the process just ask, I find trying to keep up with the posting takes away from my speed and focus.

[Eugene Dixon]

Thank you for sharing the journey. Impressive work. Well done.

[Bruce Jones]

Thank you for sharing the journey. Impressive work. Well done.Thank you Eugene glad to do it, but I think I feel better showing the progress photos after I've completed the work, it's more relaxing for me.