Wood carving really is a cool and fun hobby. It can also be rewarding as well… Personally, it is reward enough to get appreciated for the hardwork done. And what’s great about it nowadays is the skill and imagination of wood carving artists, one woodcarving I really liked was a child hugging bear wood carving. You can also check the resources, if you want learn to carve wood like the Pro…
Learn to Carve Wood Like a Pro
It takes more time than effort to learn to carve wood like a pro. Wood carving is an enjoyable pastime that has been enjoyed by many people for centuries. With a few simple tools, the right piece of wood, and time to develop your skill you can learn to carve wood.
A few of the basic tools are a sharp knife, several gouges in assorted sizes, a coping saw, and a sharpening kit. A ruler and a carving clove also come in handy. Gouges will be the tool you use most, invest in several quality ones in several different sizes. Your sharpening kit should consist of a honing stone, leather strop, and ceramic slip stones for your gouges.
Next you will need to choose wood for your project. White pine is an excellent wood to start with. It is forgiving and does not fuzz as much as other woods when carved. As you gain experience with wood carving you will move on to other woods. When selecting wood, keep in mind the finished piece. If it is to be left natural then choose woods that are visually appealing when only oiled or sealed. Save the light colored woods for ones you will choose to paint. Also, if the piece in going to be kept outdoors, oak stands up well to weathering. In the beginning, use what is available to you and experiment when you get the chance.
There are patterns available for wood carving. These can be good to introduce you to the different aspects of the art. Eventually if you want to really hone your craft, you will need to design your own carvings. You can draw your own patterns and transfer them to the wood by either gluing them on directly or using carbon paper.
Keep in mind wood carving is a skill, and it will take time to perfect your cuts and designs. With a bit of patience and a touch of practice you will soon be carving wood with skill.
Author: Chuck Hall
Chuck Hall is a veteran woodcarver. His work and free lessons can be seen at http://www.CarvingTricks.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_Hall
Learn what kind of wood is great for chainsaw carving.
Vintage Thingie Thursday – Souvenirs of the Past
One thing I recall seeing as a child were pictures that were decopaged onto slices of trees. The trees might be from the locale, and most were stamped on the reverse side of the wood to [...]
Another thing to be found around town and in the yards of lots of the cabins are these amazing wood carvings. We drove by the yard of the company that produces them, but I didn’t get a [...]
Tea Party Express II Tour – IT’S OVER …
The gentle giant gave me a bear hug and thanked me for what I am doing for our country. Jim confided that he had a wooden leg and was due for a new one. He said, “A new leg costs $20000.
Woodcarving the Country Bear & His Friends: 12 Simple Projects for Woodcarvers $7.96. This step-by-step guide for beginning and experienced carvers offers whimsical designs for treating [...]
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There are a number of great woodcarving artists. One of them is Paul Hornbuckle. He is one who likes to make indian carvings. If you can see some of the paul hornbuckle wood carving, you would appreciate the skill and detail on his woodcarving.
Woodcarving – Some Tips to Help You Along
Woodworking is a wonderful hobby that can result in crafts and furniture that can be treasured for generations. Woodworking is also becoming a popular hobby and is an important industry. A skilled woodworker with access to a nicely equipped workshop can build things like a simple birdhouse or as complicated as furniture. Excellent Woods for raw materials can be purchased at lumber retail stores and hobby supply shops.
Some folk seem to be a bit confused as to what is a board foot? A board foot is a unit used in the measurement of wood. It is equal to 1 foot length x 1 foot width x 1 inch thick. It should be noted that the thickness is nominal thickness. After drying and surfacing the usual thickness of a 1 inch board is 13/16. A board 10 feet long x 1 foot wide x 1 inches thick would be equal to 10 board feet.
I am often asked What is the right way to handle the glue squeeze out problem? The answer is quite simple…Use the correct amount of glue!. The (obvious) danger is a glue-starved joint. Wipe off the excess glue immediately with a damp sponge or paper towel.
Some woodworkers say that the water-glue mixture will soak into the wood and will show up when the piece is finished. Lots of others including me say that this is not a problem.
Another good method is to allow the glue to harden a bit, and then chisel or scrape it off. The effectiveness of this method probably depends on the type of wood and finish that are used.
If you have been a woodworker for many years or are thinking of taking up this fascinating hobby, please remember that Woodworking requires tools and techniques that are inherently dangerous. This makes workshop safety a top concern for any woodworker. When working in the shop please remember that it is important to protect your eyes, ears, and lungs, and take great care when using hand and power tools.
If you have been a woodworker for many years or are thinking of taking up this fascinating hobby, please remember that Woodworking requires tools and techniques that are inherently dangerous. This makes workshop safety a top concern for any woodworker. When working in the shop it is important to protect your eyes, ears, and lungs, and take great care when using hand and power tools.
Author: Keith Evans
Wood carving is one of the most fun and exciting ways to spend your free time. There are lots of great FREE woodworking tips and articles HERE that will show you how to enjoy your hobby. For anybody that is new to the craft of wood carving, they may be understandably overwhelmed. You need not be..take a look at the FREE information on WoodCarving at http://www.woodcarvingcabin.com/ and see how much fun it can be.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Evans
Visit here for more info on woodcarving supplies. And start making some custom wood carved signs.
Penguins Guilts and Wood Carving
The penguin I drew in art class yesterday, the quilt I have been working on for ages and I can finally start putting it together, and the wood carving I did with the wood carving tools [...]
Cedar Wood Carving Wood Spirit Native American Indian
Cedar Wood Carving Wood Spirit Native American Indian. Sculpture & carvings cedar wood carving wood spirit native american indian. This carvnig was hand carved by me here [...]
Cedar Wood Carving Wood Spirit Native American Indian
Cedar Wood Carving Wood Spirit Native American Indian. cedar wood carving wood spirit native american indian sculpture & carvings . This carvnig was hand carved by me here [...]
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Do you want to know what kind of wood for chainsaw carving? Well, there’s no particular type of wood for chainsaw wood carving. Apparently many carvers use cedar wood, some only choose to use seasonal dried wood and other carvers carve using fresh wood.
Log Products – What’s Available
Whether you’re shopping to furnish your log cabin, your country home, lodge or your townhouse, there are many products produced from logs that can enhance your home’s decor and outdoor environment. Log products give a rustic, homey feeling to their environment. Here’s an overview of what’s currently available:
Furniture
Furnishings are one of the main uses for natural logs. Beds, chairs, tables, just about any type of furniture can be made with natural logs. Instead of traditional stick type lumber, logs are fastened together to form a unique and rustic piece of furniture that should last a lifetime. An entire bedroom set can be purchased made from logs.
Art & Indoor Decor
Logs can be used to form shelving, branches can be used to form or decorate frames, artistically cut and set branches can be set in vases, there are infinite possibilities for using logs and branches in your decor.
Chainsaw Sculptures
One of the most popular artistic ways to use logs are with log sculptures. Log sculptures have been popular for centuries, going back to what we call "totem poles", which are tall, carved sculptures generally originating in the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska, where many Native tribes carved them for cultural and historical purposes. These traditional "totem poles" were always carved by hand, and usually made from a local type of cedar wood.
Nowadays, there is a thriving industry of chainsaw sculpture, where logs are sculpted using a gas powered chainsaw. There are many artists that specialize in this type of art. Some artists can achieve remarkable detailing in their art, while others tend to use a more rustic, simplistic style. A man in England carves mushrooms shapes out of logs for use in gardens. Even abstract artists have gotten into chainsaw sculpture. However, the most typical and popular examples of log sculpture using chainsaws are animals, most often bears. You’ll also see artists carve birds, fish, farm animals, statues and memorials, even people.
Chainsaw sculptures are one of the most popular ways to use logs for art.
Outdoor Furniture
Patio furniture made from logs is also popular, with many choices in this area, including log lounge chairs, log rocking chairs, ottomans, rockers, love seats, dining chairs, settees, chaise lounges, swings and complete outdoor furniture patio sets. Adirondack chairs are a popular style to make from logs.
Outdoor Uses
There’s also a vast amount of uses for logs for landscaping and other outdoor uses. Log decks are available which make a gorgeous addition to any home in the forest. Also, for those home by the water, with some moorage on a lake, river or near the ocean, log docks are available. Log docks are long lasting and look natural in their environment. Log docks may not be quite as stable however, so these won’t be a good choice for some homes. Birdhouses and doghouses can also be made from logs and branches. Fences are also being made from logs, with beautiful results.
Lydia Quinn writes for Log Home Exchange, the leading website to find log homes for sales. Visit us at http://www.loghomeexchange.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Quinn
Here are more information for other supplies on woodcarving, and know more about choosing a carving knife for wood.
Chainsaw carving can be a very fulfilling and rewarding activity. However, chainsaws are not meant primarily for wood carving but is purposely a very destructive cutting tool.
Striped bass 31" chainsaw wood carving fish wall mount … Rainbow Trout Chainsaw Carving Fish 53" Wood Wall Mount $79.99. SD Meadows Recycled Junk Art Red Speckled Wall Fish [...]
The Best And The Worst Of 2009…(Carving, That Is)
While browsing over my carving folders from last year it was quickly apparent to me that never before have I produced so mu fef ch from wood… so much that I’m still in amazement.
chainsaw carving Moai #2, tiki head, arborist, tree climber
… final carving touches with small chainsaw. Stihl MS192t, Chainsaw carving, tree, log.
The Daily News: A Few Words on Chainsaw Carving
Chainsaw carving started out as a marketing gimmick in forestry expos and state fairs. In order to get the attention of potential customers, chainsaw merchants showcase their wares by hiring [...]
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Woodcarving is fun, with so many ideas waiting to be brought to life, one has quite a limitless number of choices. You just have to ready your supplies for hand carving. One idea is to make custom wood carving signs and add a personal touch to it.
Carved Wood Signs For a Personal Touch
Nothing is more homey and unique than carved wooden signs. A good sign at the door of your house gives it a rustic feeling. They are great for boats, RV’s and businesses, giving each a special touch. Let’s look at some things to consider when getting your own carved wood signs.
What Kind Of Sign Would You Like?
You’ll want to find the right sign that complements your home, boat, RV or business. There are several styles available. Most folks like the rustic style because it gives that old American woodsy feel. There are also engraved signs for something a little more modern and detailed.
Lots of folks prefer personalized signs to the standard templates offered. Each business will offer you there pre-made designs, but you can always make your own. They will allow you to custom design it yourself from scratch is that’s what you want.
Many Designs To Choose From
The simplest carved wood signs have just words, but you can go the whole mile and add anything you want. Animals, farms and landscapes are popular as backgrounds. Put your message up front and have ducks flying in the sky behind it. They’ll also let you choose colors. Modern carved wood signs allow you to easily put any color you’d like on yours.
Check Out The Wood Quality
Carvers disagree about which woods are best, and they all have their particular reasons. Good, sturdy woods that hold up over time are the best for carved wood signs. Redwood sequoia is generally considered the best wood around in terms of sturdiness, looking good and taking paint well.
The industry standard is cedar. Red cedar and Spanish cedar are known as quality woods, and they have a reputation for weathering the years well. You’ll also find lots of quality carvers using spruce and poplar. These woods are great for carving all kinds of stuff as well as signs.
Whichever wood they choose, make sure the company you use hand picks their wood. They should be picky about what they carve.
Have A Look At Their Work
Before getting started, always have a look at some samples of their work. Touch it and see how the finish feels. The design should be attractive and professional, and there should be few knots in the wood, unless that’s the style you’re looking for.
You can have any message you like on your carved wood signs. Add that unique personal touch to your home or business, and let everyone who comes in feel comfy and welcome.
Carved wood signs are a great way to add that rustic charm to your home. It adds a homey feel that comes with the look and design of such sign boards. To learn more about the look of wood carved signs through a photo gallery, visit http://www.greaterbatonrougesigns.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton
Know more about low priced carving knife sets for wood here.
TSU Art and the Nashville Sign …
… Gutenberg was the father of letterpress printing in Europe, but the Chinese had developed similar types of relief printing as early as the 2nd century A.D. Most of these early texts were printed [...]
3 Days Yellow Mountain Adventure
They are decorated with small green tiles, wood carvings in the Hui style, ancient shop signs, and red-lacquered with double eaves on the roofs. They are simple and elegant, magnificent[...]
The original hangs by my desk – framed in silver wood carved with cherubs. I later found out that the photograph I had worked from, was a memorial for the horse pictured… A year later [...]
For the wood carver every carving project is like a Totem Pole in that each carving becomes an entity on the story board of what is most important to the carver. Every carving is a sign [...]
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Woodcarving, what do you know of it? What do you look for when choosing a wood carving knife? You should know that there are a lot of different types of knives that can be used as tools.
The Different Types of Knives That Are Used as Tools
Knives were one of the first kinds of tools developed by early humans and although they are most commonly thought of as weapons they are still used as tools. Take a look at this guide to the most commonly used tool-knives.
Retractable Blade Utility Knife
This is a general-use tool designed to cut materials such as drywall, cardboard boxes, laminates and plastic. The blade retracts into the body of the knife for safer operation and storage.
Some models have up to 3 different blade positions for different cutting depths. Higher-end models have rubber grips and ergonomic designs for better gripping.
The handle generally unscrews or swivels open to permit blade changes. Many models have extra blade storage in the handle and some models have spring-loaded blades that automatically retract when the knife is released.
Fixed Blade Utility Knife
The blade on these knives locks between the halves of the knife to provide more blade stability than retractable models. The handle generally unscrews or swivels open to permit blade changes. As with retractable knives, higher-end models have rubber grips and ergonomic designs for better gripping. Unlike retractable knives, these knives accept larger or special-purpose blades that can’t retract into the handle.
Snap Blade Knife
The blade sections snap off (generally between 8 and 13 per blade) without having to open the tool to change blades. They are generally used for cutting light- and medium-duty materials such as wallpaper, rubber, vinyl and leather, or materials with adhesive backing that will stick to the blade and prevent sharp, accurate cutting.
Carpet Knife
Carpet knives are designed for trimming and cutting carpet and other flooring materials. Their angular design provides easier access to hard-to-reach places. Many models feature retractable blades and blade storage in handle.
The Precision Knife
This is a pencil-sized tool used for precision cutting of lightweight materials, such as paper or poster board. It is also called a hobby knife or X-Acto knife. It is equipped with ultra-sharp blades made from surgical steel and the blades come in a variety of sizes and in triangle and curved shapes. These knives contain a built-in chuck to hold and secure the blades. Some models feature blade storage in the handle.
Cooking Knives
Cooking knives comes in many shapes and sizes and are designed for specific tasks. Selecting the knife you need depends on your culinary experience, the style of cooking you prefer and how much money you wish to spend. Here is a list of the common types of knives and the basic purpose behind their design:
Boning Knife: It has a 4-5" blade and is a flexible knife for separating meat from the bone. This knife is more efficient for this purpose than a rigid knife
Bread Knife: With a 9" blade these knives have sharp, scalloped blades that ‘bite’ the bread without squashing the loaf.
Chef’s Knife: Sporting a 4-12′ blade, these versatile knives serve a variety of purposes but are particularly suited to chopping and dicing. When buying a chef’s knife you should select a blade length that is comfortable for you.
Cleaver: With a strong 6" blade the cleaver chops through bones and joints. You can even use the flat side of the cleaver to crush peppercorns and other spices.
Fish Fillet: It has a 7" blade. This thin, long blade has great flexibility and is perfectly suited for filleting fish. It is a superior tool.
Ham Slicer: With a 10" blade it has been specifically designed for slicing through the unique texture of a ham.
Oriental Cleaver: It has a 7" blade and it’s called a "cleaver" but it’s really a fine chopper and dicer of vegetables, herbs, meats and fruits. It is not to be used to chop bones.
Paring Knife: It has a 3-4" blade and is the most commonly used knife in the kitchen. It is used primarily for hand-held tasks when control is essential. Variations of this knife include the Bird’s Beak which is designed for peeling small round fruits and vegetables.
Salmon Slicer: It has a 12" blade. This long thin and exceptionally flexible blade is designed for slicing smoked salmon.
Slicer/Carver: An 8-10" blade that is used for carving paper-thin slices of meats, fruits and vegetables. The pointed tip cuts around bones or pieces of melon.
Steak Knife: With a 5" blade this sharp knife cuts through thick steaks and chops. It is designed to be an integral part of any place setting
Tomato/Bagel Knife: This serrated knife has a 5" blade and is great for cutting something that’s soft on the inside and tough on the outside, like a tomato or a bagel!
Utility Knife: With a 6" blade it is a cross between a paring and chef’s knife. This all-purpose knife is designed for a variety of everyday tasks
There you have it. These are the most common knives that we use as tools in our everyday life.
Tom Knapp writes for Safecutters, Inc., distributor of the Klever Kutter and Klever Koncept, two of the safest utility knives available. Klever Kutter virtually eliminates the risk of workplace injuries, while the permanently shielded blade protects packaged products. It has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security for safe air transport. For more information about Klever Kutter and other Safecutters products, visit SafeCutters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Knapp
Knives are not the only supply for woodworking. You can also visit here to know more about Oaxacan wood carving.
Wood Carving – Choosing the Best Tools
If you’re really serious about becoming a wood carver, it is highly recommended that you learn how to sharpen and strop a knife. Once you’ve learned that, you’ll also be able [...]
Just choosing a piece of good wood can be a challenge – not too hard, not rotten, not splintery. A better way is to start scouts out using good wood, a good knife, and a good idea.
What Material Are Bowie Knife Handles?
Another type of material that you can choose for your bowie knife handle is wood. This is probably the most popular type of material used, as it’s inexpensive, widely available[...]
Choosing Kitchen Knives and Cutlery
At the very least, make sure your set includes a chef’s knife, a bread knife, a paring knife, a utility knife and a slicing or carving knife. This will give [...]
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Are you a beginner at woodcarving? Well, low priced wood carving knife sets can be quite an asset. With just a knife and a wood, you can practice woodcarving anywhere at the comfort of your own time. And besides, bringing cheap woodworking supplies can be relaxing as you may be able to replace them easily.
The Beginner’s Woodworking Studio
Woodcarving can be accomplished with nothing more than a piece of wood and a whittling knife. However, the beginner’s woodworking studio will consist of a variety of carving tools such as knives, chisels, and gouges. Bench knives, the basic carving knives, are about 1 3/4 inches to 3 inches long and taper to a point.
They are used for carving detail and are also known as whittling knives. Gouges come in c-shaped and u-shaped varieties and are used to clear larger areas of wood to be carved. A v-gouge, or chisel, has a sharp point and may be used to carve joint lines as well as detail. The straight chisel has a straight tip for making lines and detail and is great for corners.
Extras in your studio will include carbon paper or lead pencil for transferring your pattern to the wood, sharpening stones or strops to keep blades sharp, clamps and a mallet. Storage for your implements should keep everything dry and protected. A workbench is also very useful.
While any sort of wood can be carved, there are particular species that make great carving wood. Woods with consistent soft texture and little grain are popular with beginner carvers. Basswood and Butternut are two soft, straight grained woods that are forgiving and easy to use. You might also want to try a hardwood such as walnut or mahogany for its beauty and interesting burls.
Sources of your design inspiration can come from purchased patterns, folk art, furniture design, or nature itself. Like Michelangelo, the wood carver sees something in each piece of wood that is a design waiting for the right tools and artist to bring the design out of the wood.
Chuck Hall is a veteran woodcarver. His work and free lessons can be seen at http://www.CarvingTricks.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_Hall
Interested about spirit carvings on wood?
Sunbeam 13-Piece Knife Set with Pinewood Block
This kit contains a wide assortment of knives to meet all your cooking needs, the 8" chef knife for chopping food, 7.5" carving knife for carving those turkeys or roasts, [...]
Well for me it turned out to be the serrated edge which was in exactly the wrong place for many wood carving activities. After many months of persevering I started to be on the lookout for a [...]
Deal of the Day Cusinart Cutlery Set
The set includes an 8″ chef’s knife, an 8″ slicing knife, a 7″ santoku, a 5 1/2” serrated utility knife, a 3 1/2” paring knife, six 4 1/2” steak [...]
Hamilton Beach 74250 Carve ‘n Set Electric Knife with Case, White $24.99. Handle grip electric knife Stainless steel serrated blades Stainless steel carving [...]
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Do you know oaxaca wood carving? It’s quite common for Mexicans. Anyways, if you want to know more about it, you can read the article below.
Oaxacan Wood Carvings, A Tale of Two Villages
We are often asked about the history of Oaxacan Wood Carvings. As with many aspects of Mexican culture, the origins of these colorful, collectible creatures are fused with myths and facts. The following is an account that is as accurate as possible from a world where history is verbal more often than written.
For centuries, the poor in Mexico have used organic materials to fashion tools, utensils, religious artifacts and toys. So begins the story of Oaxacan Wood Carvings.
In the valley of Oaxaca, there are two rural villages, Arrazola located 30 minutes outside the city of Oaxaca in the shadows of Monte Alban, and San Martin Tilcajete located 45 minutes on the opposite side of Oaxaca. Both have become renowned for their highly collectible wood carvings. The history of how Oaxacan Wood Carvings became part of Mexico’s heritage of popular art, centers on two men, Manual Jimenez, a farmer in Arrazola and Epifanio Fuentes, a farmer in San Martin Tilcajete.
Manuel Jimenez began carving as a young man developing his skill and using his imagination to create religious figures and toys. As with many rural farmers, Manuel tried many occupations in addition to farming: cane cutter, barber, musician, and carver. He experimented with a number of woods and discovered a native brush wood, copalillo, to be perfect for his creations. After having carved for many years and trying to sell his wares in Oaxaca and Monte Alban, he was finally "discovered" by the American folk art collector, Arthur Train who was captivated by his work. Train helped promote Manuel’s career by selling his wood carvings at his store in Oaxaca. In the 1970’s important collectors like Nelson Rockefeller and folk art museums purchased the work of Manuel Jimenez thereby establishing Manuel’s reputation. Just a few years ago, Manual Jimenez, then in his 80’s, passed away, leaving his folk art legacy to his sons, Isaias and Angelico. Both worked side by side with Manuel for years as students and later assuming the role of painting and carving Manuel’s designs.
At about the same, Epifanio Fuentes, was also becoming known in folk art circles for his enchanting carved angels, signature pieces which he still produces today. Epifanio learned to carve from his father, a farmer, and used his skills to add to the farming income, as many carvers continue to do today. Eventually, Epifanio taught his wife to paint, and later his children to carve and paint creating a true family cottage industry. Several of the Fuentes sons, Zeni and Efrain in particular, enjoy international notoriety as skilled artisans.
Today, both villages have many talented carvers and painters each with their own unique style. Wood carving has improved the lives of these villagers as evidenced by newly paved roads, new schools, street lights and the prevalence of cell phones, none of which existed even 15 years ago.
Far Flung Arts is a family owned business inspired by our love of Mexico, it’s people, and their joyful artistic expressions. Frequently traveling to the tiny rural villages, we continuously seek out new artists and artwork to add to our collection. Many of the artisans have become our friends whom we eagerly look forward to seeing on our journeys. For many Mexican artists, their talent provides them with a means to improve their financial well being beyond that which is provided by their traditional agrarian economy. We hope you enjoy our ever changing collection, and share our passion for this unique art.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Mark
Get your supplies and start carving wood your own style…You can check here for an example of a wood carving with chainsaw.
Musician Chicken W/cymbals Oaxaca Wood Carving Folk Art
Hey, check out these auctions: Mort the Chicken (PlayStation, 2000). US $4.99 Buy It Now for only: US $4.99 Buy it now [...]
Oaxacan Wood Carvings by Ivan Fuentes
In 1992 the Smithsonian featured well known Oaxacan carvers. American Folk Art dealers flocked to Oaxaca to begin their collections of these unique works of art. Painted woodcarving
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Have you ever seen some carving wood spirits? Want to know how they came to be? Mainly you would notice that some intriguingly cool woodcarvings are from Africa.
African Art and Its Spiritual and Religious Influence
Africa, as the second largest continent, is a home to more than 50 countries and thousands of different ethnic and religious groups, which formed and shaped the countless artistic traditions. The kind of arts produced from region to region depends on the different religions.
Native African religions greatly influenced the art objects rather than the architectures. They do not require the use of religious buildings for prayer but they professed their faith more through religious objects such as statues, mask, or other objects especially during rituals and ceremonies. Rituals were meant to exercise control over the insecurity of life by binding together positive forces from ancestors, gods, or other spirits and by restricting negative forces.
Most of them, native Africans, used art objects like wooden or clay figurines to contact ancestor spirits who, as they believed, act as intermediaries between human community and God, the Creator. The governing bodies in their group used these art objects, as well, to maintain social order and good relationship with their ancestors’ spirits. Among the Kota of Gabon, carved wooden figurines serves as guardians who protect and oversee the remains of dead ancestors and those significant individuals who made intercession for them to the All-Mighty Creator.
Sculptured traditional African arts from the Western part became internationally known. These wood carvings, clay sculpture, bronze casting, jewelry, and weaving were also used in religious practices.
Sculpture was not only applied by Africans on wood or other materials. It was also applied on their skin. This art was called scarification and was used for divination practices. This was made by cutting the skin and put irritants on it to produce scar or markings. This form of art still continues not on skin anymore but on their carved statues and images wherein they put markings on the statues’ body parts to show scarification.
Another significant traditional art was the furniture like the stool and headrest. Stools were the especially designed carved wooden seat with spiritual functions. The Lubas of central Africa made caryatid stools wherein a figure, male or female, is carved out of the wooden stools to represent the owner’s important ancestor.
The headrest, on the other hand, was the carved wooden pillow of the Africans. Among the Shona (people with special spiritual powers) of the southern Africa, their carved headrests were designed to communicate with the ancestors through their dreams.
Some Africans, especially the Mijikenda of Kenya honor their dead by carving wooden posts called vigangu. Groups in Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Madagascar followed this practice by creating similar post-shaped funerary sculptures.
In the eastern and western part of Africa, architecture arts were built with religious implications such as the Mosque, the Islam’s house of prayer. The king of Ethiopia, when they adopted Christianity as their religion, carved 11 churches out of solid volcanic rocks.
Some were carved below ground level with deep trenches around, some were attached to surroundings. These churches were connected by a network of tunnels and narrow passageways.
Africa has rich varieties of arts. It includes not only the architectural structures, the carved figurines and the sculptured objects but also the art in the field of painting, rhythm, dancing, and literary. The spiritual implications of every artistic piece make the African arts unique around the world.
Rod Dagan invites you to explore the culture and arts of Africa [http://www.nativeart-world.com/africa.html] you can also find more about arts, crafts and culture from native and aboriginal peoples from around the world at Native Art World
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rod_Dagan
Visit here if you’re looking for supplies on woodcarving. You can also visit here if you want to know about wood carvings of native americans.
FOUNDWOOD CARVINGS – 2009 Santa 23
also have a web site for all of my wood carvings. I hope that you will visit this web site and will be able to navigate all of the pages, as there are several[...]
Scroll Saw Patterns Help You In Carving Wood
Another good option is the use of tranferring technology with a hot iron. If you happen to get a residue from the adhesive, you try to get rid of it with mineral spirits. Best Workbenches [...]
Western Art Log Home Gnome Wood Spirit Old West Western Carved …
Western Art Log Home Gnome Wood Spirit Old West Western Carved. This is western themed art dating from Unknown. This work is offered by the auctioneer located in Bend, Oregon, [...]
WILLIAM ZORACH-Carving Directly In Wood And Stone William Zorach …
It marked the quick end of his apprenticeship as a carver and his emergence as a leading figure in the field of American sculpture. (…) His Spirit of the Dance for the Music Hall [...]
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Heard of chainsaw wood carving before? Actually, first time I heard of it, I was intrigued. I never though of it before. Know more about it by reading the article below.
Chainsaw Wood Carvings – A Unique Gift Idea
Chainsaw wood carvings are quite a spectacle when crafted by an accomplished and skilled chainsaw carver. Chainsaw carvings offer everything from smaller, cute "doorway" welcomers like bears and other woodland animals to five and ten footers that take your breath away. But it’s more than just a unique and eye-appealing landscaping addition, wood carvings are also a unique and cherished gift.
Raccoons, skunks, turtles and bears are just a few of the more natural carvings you can get, and if you’re looking for something a little more contemporary or niche, some even opt to have custom carvings of characters. Yep, that’s right – most times you can commission the creation of a pop culture character, like Mickey Mouse or other cartoon characters.
What Exactly is Chainsaw Carving?
Chainsaw carvings are the creation of artistic pieces through the use of large chunks of wood – usually from the trunks of trees that have been cut into larger pieces of log are molded into a specific shape through the use of various sized chainsaws and chainsaw blades. The blades used vary in their degree of precision and detail. In short, a chainsaw carver is comparative to a sculptor, only their tool is a chainsaw and their supplies are natural wood rather than plaster or clay.
This type of art is not just limited to art pieces, but also branches into the realm of unique, custom made furniture that is both rustic and practical. An accomplished carver has the ability to create pieces relatively quickly and as a carver becomes more experienced, their level of detail becomes more advanced. Take for example a chainsaw carver that I happen to know. The pieces she creates look like something that could not have possibly been molded by human hands. That’s how good they are.
Not only that, the level of detail in her pieces – ranging from eagles that are a couple of feet high to bears that are only a foot or two – is so sharp and well defined, you’d swear these carvings could not have been made with a chainsaw. But indeed they are.
Usually after the actual carving is complete, the wood is coated with a few protective layers of a polyurethane type of substance, and depending on the customer’s request,
it may also be painted with color paint. The coating is necessary to ensure it can withstand weathering and biodegrading.
While most people choose carvings that are free standing and moveable, there are also site carving services available. Site carvings are where a chainsaw carver actually comes to the home and carves an art piece of the homeowner’s choice out of a tree that has been partially cut down, or cut down and has left a stump.
Most people make this choice because the carving is a great way to cover up an otherwise unsightly tree stump, as well as to add a conversation piece (which it certainly always becomes) to their yard which will become a permanent piece of their landscape for years to come. Only problem with this is that you probably can’t take it with you if you move!
Danna Schneider is the author of several product review sites. For more information on the Shari Staiduhar’s chainsaw wood carvings in Thompson Ohio, mentioned in this article, visit the site for Rocky Mountain Creations here at The Chainsaw Carver.com Here you will find examples of the detailed and unique craftsmanship that has gone into these carvings. Beautiful Chainsaw Wood Carvings
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danna_Schneider
Get your tools for woodcarving and bring to life your unique ideas. Or you could choose to follow some easy patterns for wood carving.
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Ever seen native american wood carvings? They look marvelous don’t they? Well, these wood carvings can be quite a collection when added in your home. If you want to know more about it, kindly read the article below.
Interior Decorating and Home Decor With Native American Indian Art
Since there has been a trend in recent years towards more earthy color tones for interior decorating, Native American Indian art can fit in nicely as part of home decor. Most subjects used in Native American Indian art tend to be focused on nature whether the pieces are prints, carvings or pottery. Colors tend to be earthy shades of browns, reds, blacks and yellows since the main raw materials are wood as in carvings from the Pacific Northwest region and clay from the Southwest. Even painted wood carvings or pottery tend to have natural colors often found in nature such as greens and blues. All of these colors work well with the more natural styles of interior decorating today.
The Pacific Northwest region which covers the states of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia (Canada) and the southern part of Alaska, produces some excellent Native American Indian art in the form of wood carvings. This is not surprising since the Pacific Northwest is abundant with forests which have provided the wood as raw material for the region’s Native American Indian art. The wood is sometimes painted in striking colors or just stained with natural looking browns. Either way, such pieces fit in perfectly in rooms with earthy color tones. I have seen walls of living rooms, bedrooms, office den rooms, hallways and even bathrooms enhanced with Pacific Northwest Indian art in the form of both prints and wood plaque carvings. The Pacific Northwest Native American artists also make some of the most striking aboriginal masks in the world which are also suitable for hanging on walls.
Native American Indian art as home decor helps bring in an atmosphere of nature in the overall interior decorating of a room. This is because of their natural colors and also their subject matters which tend to be animals such as eagles, bears, thunderbirds, killer whales and salmons. Pacific Northwest Native art in particular gives homes in that region a local flavor. Many homes in this part of North America have this type of artwork as part of interior decorating. This style of Native American Indian art is still relatively unknown to many parts of North America and the rest of the world so for homes outside of the Pacific Northwest region, a nice wood carving can be seen as exotic treasure brought back from a homeowner’s travels. Check out some examples of Pacific Northwest Indian art either in a gallery or online and imagine how a piece or two can be part of your home’s interior decorating.
Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit art and Native American Indian art. including carvings and prints. Also numerous information articles and videos.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clint_Leung
Check here for information on supplies on woodcarving. And learn how to sharpen chisels of wood carving here.
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