My wife says I have far too much time

[Colin-Partridge]

I would like to start off by saying that I get inspired by everyone I meet and every art form that I look at. As some of you know I recently went to Puerto Vallarata Mexico where I met with the Huichol indian tribe who's art form blew me away. I posted a picture of one of my carvings that one to the native carvers decorated with beads for me on another thread on the holiday category. Well now that I am home I thought that I would try to paint a Santa in the same manner using my own imagination with lots of detail. My wife tells me that I have far too much time on my hands and even though she is an avid quilter she would never have to patience to do a santa like this. She inspires me with her quilting and I could never ever do what she does with her quilts. I am also inspired by other carvers on this forum who's talent just blows me away. So here is another Santa that I carved and decorated with acrylic paint. I wont tell you how long it took me to put in all this detail on the robe but I had a blast doing it. I now intend to do another with even more detail who knows where it will lead to. Again thanks for looking and of course as always I am open to all contructive critique and I truly mean that if you have any comments it is the way I learn and never ever take offence to critisism.
The Santa is again one of Goodys blanks, Stands about a foot tall and is a wood called Palwinnia.(Not sure of the spelling) Anna inspired me and helped me tremendously with the painting tips she gave me. Also Susique and Deborah Call who also have helped me with their painting tips.
Colin

[Donna_T]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Colin,
I'm so glad you have too much time on your hands--you come up with some unique and intricate designs and your santas just keep getting better. This santa looks like it's covered with elaborate granny squares. You're so good to credit all those who have helped your santa carving journey--isn't it great the kind of help we get from fellow carving friends??

With all our cold and snow, I'm still jealous of your "southern" vacation.

Donna T

[Steve Reed]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Beautiful paint job Colin!

[STAR]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Great painting Colin.

How did you find carving the Paulownia. I have a contact who has a Paulowina plantation and I wondered how it would be as a carving wood.

The sample I saw was very light in fact almost balsa light, at the time I was not interested in carving so I was mainly thinking of it as a woodworking wood. I am sure the owner only thinks of it as that also. Maybe he has a little goldmine on his property and he does not know it.

I would be interested to read your thoughts on it in regard to basswood and other species that you have carved. I only have experience with Sugar Pine, basswood and Jelutong. I also have a lot of Hoop pine which is a good carving wood but is now on the endangered list. A friend has a 30 foot tree on his farm that was hit by lightning and he has a permit to bring it down for safety reasons.

Four ofus have chipped in to pay for the Arborist and mobile saw miller to cut it up for us to share. I also have a 12 foot length x 12 inches by 2 inch plank of Jelutong plus a heap of already dried Hoop pine. Some guys collect women, I just go for the timber.

Pete

[kdispoto]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Hands down - you have the most uniquely finished Santas on the block.
Have you thought about coming up with one of your own Santa (blank) designs?

[Jim Hiser]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Very Nice Colin, you are a very patient man.

[Bob's Birds]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Nice paint job. Can't wait to see your Mardi Gras example, that should be coming soon or even a St Patrick's Santa.

Don't worry old fellow the snow will soon melt and you can get a tank of gas for the saw and get outside again.

Bob

[Colin-Partridge]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Pete as far as carving Paulowinia I would rather carve it than basswood. I know it has grain and sometimes quite twisted but all in all I love the wood. It takes great detail no fuzzies. Saying that I would caution about making sure your knifes are really sharp just because it has a lot of grain. But over all it is a dream to carve. Yes it is much lighter than basswood but not as flimsy as balsa wood by a long shot. I do carve bass wood and pine but since I discovered Paulowinia its my wood of choice.
kdispoto yes I have thought of a Colin design and as soon as I carve all of the blanks I have from Goody I will try a design of my own. I will keep you posted when that happens. But right now I have enough to keep me going.
Donna yes it is nice to have this carving family and I so appreciate all those who help me along the way it is this kind of comradship that makes this forum the best. Also credit should be given where it is due without the help I would never have achieved half of what I have and I still enjoy the journey from blank to finish I find it exciting.
Thanks again for your comments
Colin

[Thor]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Colin, my friend, I wish for you much time to spend with your new level of patience. This one turned out so well, and I can see the influence from the beaded one, of course, but you definitely combined the quilted fabric look, the Santa, and the beaded influence, and made it your own.

Might I suggest that you take one of your Colin Partridge Woodspirits (the look of which has spread around the globe like your offspring) and do your magic with one of those. I think you're onto something big.,....or maybe small...with great detail. Maybe using the colors of the Northwest First Nations carvings in it like those pieces you did awhile back.

thumbs up all round!
Christina

[uvawyo]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Womderful painting, Colin. Awesome!

[Marci MN]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

WOW... Wonderful !! I read above where someone said not to worry you could get out with your saws again soon. Half of me said.. Noooooo... I LOVE seeing Colins Santa's... ha ha I'm really glad you picked up on doing Santas. You put alot of Soul into your creations.

Marcia.

[Ed Redwine]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Out of the box Colin! My wife quilts too and I could never do what she does. I admire your patience. My buddy Bob is good at that tiny paint application but me, I need a 2 in. brush. Now, amigo, let's see another!

[susieq]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

What a great look! Colin, I think Christina is right....you're on to something here.

[Kenny_S]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

Time well spent my friend. Great piece!

[carlt]

Re: My wife says I have far too much time

I can only agree with all the rest of the folks, fantastic painting.

Carl