Pacific Northwest Paddle

[pallin]

Two months ago I painted and carved a paddle for my brother, described in this previous thread:

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f61/nw-coastal-style-paddle-46398/

When he picked up the paddle he gave me a paddle blank he had made for me. He found it impossible to get yellow cedar in the SF Bay area, so he made the blank out of Port Orford cedar. He also gave me a suggested design for the decoration.
So now I've adapted and modified the design and drew it on the blank. The next step is to scribe (actually V-groove) the lines so I can find the pattern after applying paint in designated areas. After painting I carefully define the areas with incised cuts. Here's what it looks like right now:

[pallin]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

Here is the paddle after applying the colors. There are lots of ragged edges to the painted areas which will be made "crisp" by the incised carving.

[pallin]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

This is the paddle after trimming the edges of color areas with incised carving. There are still a few to clean up, but it's nearly done. I will apply a clear matte finish, and it will become a wall decoration.
Port Orford cedar, 5 inches by 48 inches, partly painted.

[Sharon of the Dell]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

It's beautiful Phil!
How's the Port Orford cedar to carve? I have a couple of pieces that have been drying for 2 years or so.

[Dan Wegiel]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

Beautiful job Phil!

Dan

[Donsexton]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

Looks great and I know that is your thing, have you ever tried making a long bow? I have been giving it some thought.

[Brian T]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

Thanks for the step-by-step. Grooving the pattern is better by far than me trying to find the painted lines!
Quite frankly, I liked pic#1 = wood/monochrome. Perhaps an option for another paddle?
The painted designs are interesting to look at and interpret.

[pallin]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

Thanks, friends, for your interest and comments.
Sharon - The Port Orford cedar had some growth bands that were harder (or "stickier") than the rest of the piece. It required some adjustments to my technique. I don't know if this was caused by the manner (or lack) of seasoning.
Don Sexton - Longbow? I haven't thought about it, but I'd follow your progress on such a project.
Robson Valley - I guess I'm copying the PNW style I see in illustrations. I was impressed by an unpainted design I saw in a First Nations gallery in Comox, and carved two variations of it. (See NW Eagle)

[Brian T]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

I have no objection to anyone using PNW design elements, particularly when it is well done. I could do a second rate job and it would look like it, too. I can't even draw trigons and ovoids let alone carve them (and I have tried!)
Unpainted & stained/monochrome is a style I like. Two Raven feast dishes are WIP, think just a food safe oil finish. There's a 48" x 24"(?) x 2" relief carving of a Sasquatch in Yellow cedar in the diamond willow shop down my street (the classic turned head pose from the Patterson movie). Very deep incised lines for the fur/hair. Brown stain. That's it. I can't afford it.

[pallin]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

There's an unpainted wall panel outside the restrooms in the REI flagship store in Seattle, carved in PNW style in western red cedar that's quite spectacular.

[Brian T]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

PNW style? Your paddle is mid-coast! The eyes, s-lines & blue paint. So much of what I've been reading recently points to an up-and-coming artist's cultural heritage that "permits" them to carve in a regional style, whether they are now living there or not..

Have you got a copy of "Learning By Designing" Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian Art.
Jim Gilbert & Karin Clark. Vol #1 (probably more useful that vol #2.) 2001
ISBN 0-9692979-3-9 Raven Publishing.
I have yet to find anything that does a better job of illustrating the differences with examples and drawing exercises.

[pallin]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

Ha! The eyes, S-lines, and blue paint were all elements I added to the design I was working from. I was not trying to make the design consistent with any particular area. After all, I'm NOT a First Nations carver.

I do have the book you mentioned - excellent!

[Brian T]

Re: Pacific Northwest Paddle

I know, but you put the carving on the map with the design elements you chose to include. Fairly cool.
I've worked hard to understand why it was so important for me to inherit a 24" x 4 figure pole, made in a perfect piece of 2" x 2" WRC. I've just about given up.

The book. page 122. Sisiutl. I have a 24" piece of snow-white willow log that has been curing for several years. To extend the description, the image is meant to represent balance in life between the two ends of the evil serpent. If I can clear off some WIPs this autumn, I might take a crack at a literal carved version of Jim's artwork. Just black.