Awesome Mike. Is that the natural grain on the butternut on the billside or did you enhance it in some fashion? It truly appears like wind/ water blown sand. Incredible regardless.

Thanks Dave.  Extensive Dremel  carving and texturing were used for the effects on the butternut. Still have more to do to get the depth right.

Hi Everyone

Got  the rest of the background pieces installed which added 7 pieces for the Tulipwood sky and 6 pieces of Lacewood for the back mountains. Time to have some fun !! 110 pieces from 17 woods--And Counting 

Hi All

Got the maple frame inlays roughed in adding 8 pieces. Next step is inlaying the inlays. Fun Stuff!!

Your choice of wood species and scale dimensions give so much detail and depth to the point even the pictures here seem 3 dimensional. Thanks for sharing your artistic inspiration with us Mike. I just marvel at your work.

Hi All

Decided to  do some little Yin Yang inlays for the corners of the frame. Also changed the maple diamonds to Pink Ivory for a better contrast with the Holly and Af. Blackwood  yin yangs, 134 pieces from 19 woods --and counting

Just keeps get more cool.

Very nice Mike, I'm sure the Grandkids are going to love it.

Just havin fun now!!

This is the part of a project I love the most. All the hard work is done so it's time to bring it to life. I like to add little intarsia pieces which will add more depth and detail for the eye to follow and find.  Turtle is made from Madrone Burl and Lignum Vitae. 5 pieces. More fun to follow  

Hi All

Got the last 2 inlays ( maybe) cut, shaped and assembled. The frog has 15 pieces from Poplar, Sycamore, Af. Blackwood, Holly and Pernambuco. The boat has 4 pieces from Redheart and Persimmon. Still have to do the final inlaying, replace a few pieces, final sanding and  detailing,  and glue up . 157 pieces from 21 woods. Almost ready for another project

39 minutes ago, Intarsia Mike said:

Hi All

Got the last 2 inlays ( maybe) cut, shaped and assembled. The frog has 15 pieces from Poplar, Sycamore, Af. Blackwood, Holly and Pernambuco. The boat has 4 pieces from Redheart and Persimmon. Still have to do the final inlaying, replace a few pieces, final sanding and  detailing,  and glue up . 157 pieces from 21 woods. Almost ready for another project

Incredible!!

 

Awesome Mike. Detail is incredible. I can't get over the realism of the bamboo both color and appearance. You have an extraordinary gift. Thanks for taking us on the journey. I thoroughly enjoy following along.

9 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Awesome Mike. Detail is incredible. I can't get over the realism of the bamboo both color and appearance. You have an extraordinary gift. Thanks for taking us on the journey. I thoroughly enjoy following along.

YEAH! What he said! Beautiful!

"One Down-Three to Go" 

Thanks everyone for the comments  and likes during the creation on my Happy Panda  intarsia project . This is the first of 4 special projects for my Grandkids so the fun has just begun . The project ended up with 164 pieces from 21 different natural colored woods all in an 8" custom inlayed frame.  Lots of small pieces, extensive detail carving and texturing, and the use of contrasting colors and grains bring this piece to life.

My next project will be for the equestrian in the family.

I will be using a pattern that I created 10 years ago as part of a custom bookshelf project where I did a set of mirror image intarsia inlays on the ends of the bookshelf. Of course, there will be lots of customization for the new project so stay tuned- the fun has just begun 

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!