My wife and I just returned from 3 weeks in northern Spain(Basque country) and northern Portugal. We had a great time and I managed to find two things that I might carve/gild. The second one is a panel  (one of nine) that we had above our bed in Bilbao and seemed like a good exercise for carving. The first object is a wooden copy of the Basque Sunflower or Equzkilorea that is used above the doorway to ward off evil spirits. The center of the flower represents the sun and is supposed to keep evil away that darkness could bring.

https://aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2012/04/09/eguzkilore-the-flower-that-protects-the-basques/

 

 

 

Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Sounds like you had a great and relaxing trip. Whichever you choose (or both), count me in to follow. Both are unique and will require a mix of skills. With summer approaching, the sunflower seems quite appropriate as they'll be in bloom.

I believe you would (will) do them both justice Frederick I agree with Dave, I would like to see you do the flower first

Finally found some time to begin the carving of my Basque sunflower.

Happy your schedule has freed up for some fun. Off to a good start.

Progress is being made. I need to detail the leaves before the finishing process can start,

Great progress. The flower head looks awesome. 

19 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Great progress. The flower head looks awesome. 

Thanks. Still some "touch-up" to do. It's amazing what a photo will reveal vs. the eyeball!

Carving almost complete! There will be some light sanding to knock down the sharp corners and then onto the finishing phase and mounting to a circular plaque. The last photo shows my "office", used for today.

All parts completed, and now I have to fit all of the pieces together(screw placements) and then start the finishing process.

Wow!  That looks great!

On 5/14/2023 at 5:25 PM, FrederickH said:

The last photo shows my "office", used for today.

I missed this post somehow? Great work so far. I love your bench. The stories it could tell if it could talk.

 

1 hour ago, FrederickH said:

All parts completed, and now I have to fit all of the pieces together(screw placements) and then start the finishing process.

Beautiful! I'd be a nervous wreck trying the screw placement. Can't wait to see this one with finish.

Preparation for the gilding process is almost complete. The plaque will get one more coat of black, satin paint(to be touched up when done) and the blue leafy area will get a light sanding to help the sizing adhere. The gold/blue paint is the "gesso" layer. The gold gesso will get gold leaf and the blue gesso will get silver.

 

The scallop shell will also get a coat of gold leaf and was a left-over from a dinner we had in Leon, Spain. The shell represents the Camino Way and Saint James .

 

https://caminoways.com/camino-de-santiago

Edited May 25, 20233 yr by FrederickH

You sir are a wood artist.

Almost ready for the wall. Some touch up needs to be done! Scallop shell will go on our desk.

Those turned out spectacular. I don't have The adjectives to adequately give accolades to the sunflower. Absolutely stunning. I love your artistic eye which captures the all the detail. Thanks for taking us along on this journey. 

Our Eguzkilorea is in place between the front door and front window. We're hoping that this protects us from the evil night spirits.

Perfect spot. Suspect a well earned wave of satisfaction plus accomplishment flowed when you placed it on the hanger.

Looks great there!