My next carving project will to be to try to carve/gild this book cover illustration in a concave relief pattern. I want to make it between 6-8" in size. I'll reduce the size to what I want. Can you tell me the name of this book???

Edited January 15, 20224 yr by FrederickH

12 minutes ago, FrederickH said:

 Can you tell me the name of this book???

 

Sadly I couldn't but Google says, "Go tell the bees I'm gone"

Looking forward to watching your interpretation evolve. I suspect it will bee amazing.

48 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

 

Sadly I couldn't but Google says, "Go tell the bees I'm gone"

Looking forward to watching your interpretation evolve. I suspect it will bee amazing.

Then I'll have to get real "buzzy" and get to work.

Project started. The bee is 8" long and the overall plaque diameter is 12". The drawing that I'm working from is hand carved and varies in proportionally. This will allow me some latitude in the carving.

Off to a great start Frederick. Looking forward to following along this journey too. Is your wood choice maple? 

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Off to a great start Frederick. Looking forward to following along this journey too. Is your wood choice maple? 

Carvings are done in Basswood. I've had some basswood drying for 3 years and that's what I'm using. The molding, for the plaque, will probable be poplar(turns nicely).

Beautiful work Fredrick

 

We just had a Bee Keeper talking to my wife about the possibility of setting up a couple hives on our property because we have some large Basswood trees

2 hours ago, frenchwwr said:

Beautiful work Fredrick

 

We just had a Bee Keeper talking to my wife about the possibility of setting up a couple hives on our property because we have some large Basswood trees

Get in touch with Keith, @kmealy. He's our resident bee keeper here. Wealth of knowledge and experience to glean. Good guy too. He can get you up and running quickly.

Great project start Frederick.  Looking forward to following your progress.

Carving completed except for a little cleanup. Now, to apply and turn the edge molding.

4 hours ago, FrederickH said:

Carving completed except for a little cleanup. Now, to apply and turn the edge molding.

Holy cow Frederick, are your carving chisels still smoking?

I really like it the hexagon outline detail to complement the smaller ones around the bee. Another carving very well done!

As always looking forward to your final finish approach.

The applied edge molding has been applied and turned to an ogee profile. All that remains is the finishing to be done.

Really like all the enhancing details on this one. You possess a unique, artistic eye for each of your carving subjects.

Painting and gessoing complete. Now for the application of sizing and gold foil. There will be some minor touchup for the black paint(as always).

Going to be another gallery worthy piece!

Looking super Frederick.  fwiw, I just had my latest bee class yesterday.  Picked up a quart size jar from my local apiary that sells at the farmers market.  I usually take a few minutes to ask about the bees and business.  Yesterday we talked about the life spans of the various bees.  He is ramping up for a busy spring season to start in the next few weeks.

But I digress, your bee is bee-you-tiful so far!

Carving of "Go Tell the Bees" is completed. Now to find a place on the wall.

1 hour ago, FrederickH said:

Now to find a place on the wall

Well if you have to, move something. This one bee a keeper. Well done Frederick. Well done indeed.