The attempt to repay a Huge gift

[joepaulbutler]

I haven't posted any of my work lately, but believe me, I've been busy, A while back I mention that I had gotten Christmas early, the approx. 2-1/2 cu-ft of Alaskan Cottonwood Bark. I want to carve something to show my appreciation, but Bruce would say what they would like. After about a week of badgering him every day, he finally said Vick would like a fur tree ???, for him, nothing is needed, true Texas gentlemen.

Well, he has told about the bear encounters he has had in Alaska. With help of RV, I settle on some stuff for him. Then I could just not let it lay there,
I did a clock.
Except for the large fir tree, which is basswood. it is all CW from the shipment. The paint is acrylic. & I used a burner
The tree is 14x12, the bear plaque is 17x4, and the clock is 7x10.

Vickie's tree I made some decorations so she could gussy it up for the holidays

As always C&C welcome

[Soggy]

Joe, I knew you could do it!, and you sure didn't disappoint. Your friend will be most appreciative.
Wayne

[Brian T]

You did the Bear Totems very well. I can look at that for a long time.
They are all quite an accomplishment in designs and well finished.
These will be great gifts.

[Mark N. Akers]

Very nice Joe well done.

[Bob K.]

Very impressive to say the least, Joe!

[Arthur C.]

Way to go, Joe, nicely done and certainly unique! I'm sure you friend will get much pleasure from them.

[uvawyo]

Mighty fine bunch of carvings, Joe!

[Merle Rice]

Hi Joe, I'm sure they will Love those Hand Carved Pieces from the Bark they sent . Touching Story and Great ending . Should give you both a Good Warm feeling in your Hearts . Merle

[honketyhank]

I do not know what the heck I am talking about but that never stops me ... That bear plaque really grabbed me. The images left and center are most obviously bears. But the image on the right - the bear footprint. The more I look at it, the more I see Snake coiled up and about to strike, all in the pad area of the footprint. Am I nuts?

All three pieces are winners for sure, but that plaque is a real attention grabber for me. The ambiguity of meaning (to me anyway) in the artistic design forces me to keep coming back for another look.

Good show, Joe.

[Claude]

Great set of carvings, Joe!

Claude

[Tom Ellis]

Wow Joe, not only did you get some very impressive bark, you did some incredible work. I like the wet look you did like the snow melting on the tree scene. They are all fantastic. Great job.

[Tinwood]

That's impressive JP. You always seem to come up with something unusually different all the time.

Tinwood

[Spiritwolfe]

Nice!
It almost looks likes it’s been done by different carvers.
How your wife used decorations is what I do also. I use beads and all kinds of jewels and hardware in many of the things I made.
I like the little tree house with the clock.

[joepaulbutler]

Wayne~thank you Hope not
Brian~thank you & and thanks for the help
Mark~thank you
BobK~thank you
Arthur~thank you
Herb~thank you
Merle~thank you, I know it was important to me to do this, more than just a carving
Tom~thank you, I use Laquer Sanding Sealer
Tinwood~thank you, Just got ants in my pants, I guess, variety is the spice of carving
Spirtwolfe~thank you, Pam knew how much this met to me, so she felt I should work on it by myself, with the occasional peek
Honkethank~thank you. the image you're referring to: bear claws across the top, beneath on the right is a frontal view of a bear, on the left is a profile view of a bear.

I want to thank you all for taking a look and the kindest and considerate remarks!

Now to build a box for shipping→→→→→→

Got it done 22" x 8" X 6.5"

[JoeVM]

Nice work Joe.