1st live tree carving

[Irishman]

It has been forever since I posted something to the forum. I thought this would be unique (for me at least) as it is my very first live tree carving. I carved many large logs over the years but they were always cut down. I included a few progress shots. The tree is ash and I had to use my mallet for the whole carving. One picture shows where I bleached the whiskers and the final picture is the use of oil based paints - recipe I learned from Fred Zavadil. I did the very same style of Sea Captain earlier on a small 8 inch log so the customer asked me to scale it up to the size of his tree. Enjoy the pics.
Patrick

[Bob Younger]

Nice job on the face, it looks great. Did you have to treat the the carved area with anything?
Bob

[DiLeon]

Really nice looking carving! Love the natural looking treatments. Question because I have thought often about carving in a living tree do you seal off the carved area for bug and other disease or is not a worry in your area?

[Irishman]

Nice job on the face, it looks great. Did you have to treat the the carved area with anything?
Bob

Hello Bob,
I have used a number of recipes over the years but with this one I used several layers of varathane and a mix of paint thinner...using less on the final sealing stage. The carving has a lot of shade in the back yard so I am hoping the sealer does not break down too quickly.

[Irishman]

Really nice looking carving! Love the natural looking treatments. Question because I have thought often about carving in a living tree do you seal off the carved area for bug and other disease or is not a worry in your area?

The sealer is mostly for protection against the sun. There were ants around while I carved but the tree seemed healthy and bug free. I do make a point of putting sealer around the exposed bark edges to keep pest from getting underneath and to decrease the chances of the bark separating. I don't carve Ash wood so this will be interesting as the months go by.

[Tom Ellis]

Very nice Patrrick, he appears to be about the same heigth as you. That was convenient.

I like him, Tom

[squbrigg]

Great job Patrick, I love the look of your faces, they have such character.

Bob

[tbox61]

That is really nice!

[Irishman]

Very nice Patrrick, he appears to be about the same heigth as you. That was convenient.

I like him, Tom

Thanks Tom. I should have taken a picture of the foundation I was working with while I carved the figure. Not only was I on a hill of bark, there were large plants all around my feet. The customers were impressed I didn't trample them but if they knew how much harder it made to position myself to carve, they would appreciate the extra effort I made.

[Irishman]

Great job Patrick, I love the look of your faces, they have such character.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Patrick ,Now that's one Great Carving . Other than the Great Detailing and Features , the Finish Impressed me very much. Must say Excellent Piece . Merle

[scotia carver]

Hi Patrick
Real nice carving in a live tree,is there any better time year to carve in a live tree or do you do it when you don't have wear mittens and long johns
Bruce

[Irishman]

Hi Patrick ,Now that's one Great Carving . Other than the Great Detailing and Features , the Finish Impressed me very much. Must say Excellent Piece . Merle

Thanks Merle.

[Irishman]

Hi Patrick
Real nice carving in a live tree,is there any better time year to carve in a live tree or do you do it when you don't have wear mittens and long johns
Bruce

As this is my first one, im probably not the best person to answer that Bruce. I expect late fall when the sap slows down before the snow comes would be less harmful on the tree. I can let you know in a few years if this tree is still standing.
Patrick

[DiLeon]

As this is my first one, im probably not the best person to answer that Bruce. I expect late fall when the sap slows down before the snow comes would be less harmful on the tree. I can let you know in a few years if this tree is still standing.
Patrick

So all of this a major creative,..... let's see what happens... I do that often....