A dilemma of the Carving Teacher is his Class Schedule. To prepare for the next class project, the teacher must sometimes set-his own carving aside in-order to prepare for the next scheduled project. This is certainly true of this ol’ Carvingmeister. I have shelves crowded with almost forgotten and half-completed bird-carvings. I harbor a confidence about them all that tells me that they will turn-out much better for their wait! Hopefully, I tend to improve a-bit with each piece that I do. The piece (Eagle #2, piece #82) in question today was commenced by me in November, 1993. This happens to be exactly one year after doing Eagle #1, piece #81 and exactly 14 years before doing Eagle #3, piece #149. Both Eagles #1 and #3 have won 2-Blue Ribbons each for being 1st Place in their categories and 1-Red Ribbon each for being 2d. So today, I’ve dusted-off the Eagle #2 and intend to pursue it’s completion starting NOW! What better time to do so? Our Winter Hiatus period is at hand and I’m a-bit inspired and motivated. Who knows when this “perfect-storm” might occur again? The “inspired part partially comes from watching a student carve qtr-scaled Bald Eagles for sons who are Eagle Scouts. She name is Elaine Rasp, a member of the Cincinnati Carving Guild. Her Eagle #1 is a “stunner” and her 2d is underway to arriving at the same or better level. I got to watch her progress as her teacher. So, back to my old/new project, Eagle #2; it’s also qtr-scaled,open-winged Bald Eagle , standing 16″ tall. The walnut base is 9 3/4″ wide by 7″ deep. The Wings, tail and feet will be carved. Individual flight-feathers will not! These and the glass eyes will be inserted. You can follow it’s step-by-step progress on this blog under the categorie “Bill’s Special Projects”. As you may watch, your imput, comments, questions, suggestions, etc. are encouraged.
Happy birding and carving.