Cigar Store Indian Lady

[bzcarvn]

I recently finished this Cigar Store Indian Lady. She is a little over four feet tall and weighs 65 lbs. Hand carved from a block of glued up basswood.

[GinnytooU]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Wow that is very impressive. Good job. Ginny

[ripstik]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

How long did a project like that take you? It's very nice.

[mojavezig]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Very nice composition and detail throughout. I love Cigar Store Indians and their history. I was wondering if you would share what you used for finishes?
I am enclosing one I completed and finished with oil-base paints and feel it is too loud in color. Congratulations on a job well done!

[bzcarvn]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Ripstik, the short answer is way too d$%n long. The long answer goes like this. I almost never keep track of hours, but just for the heck of it, I decided to keep a tally on this. When I got to 70 hours and really wasn't even close to getting to the serious carving, I quit keeping account. It just was too counter productive and depressing. I estimate well over 200 hrs.

Mojavezig, I also like cigar store indians and their history. I am amazed how many people have no idea what they were and their purpose. Especially the younger generation. Google it folks, some interesting stuff you will find. I like your Indian and I don't think it is too loud. I might have toned the headdress down a bit, but you can try that on the next one maybe. The original ones often were colorful, to attract attention. I painted mine with oil paints. I use artists oil paints and mix them with Minwax natural stain to create any color stain I want.

[Pinokeeo]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

I'm impressed. I haven't been carving that long, but I'm no where near being ambitious enough to attempt something like this.

Nice work.

[toycarver]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Pretty cool. You did a great job on the entire piece.

[Arthur C.]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Biz and Mojave, both works are very nice! I've been thinking of doing one of those, and you have inspired me to try one. Thanks!

Arthur

[valk.nl]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

very very beautiful you should be very proud of your work

[markken5889]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

fantastic job! in terms of hours put in, at the carousel carving project's shop I volunteer at, it takes 800-1000 hours to carve a carousel horse. That includes the glue-up's, band sawing, then carving, sanding, priming and finish painting. So in perspective, you've done really well with your cigar indian! Well worth the effort - she looks great!!!

Mark

[Sharon of the Dell]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Both of you did really neat carvings!

[sappy]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Really impressive work! Very clean and well done.

[Carver Eric]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

I can only imagine how happy you are with your work, it looks great!

[greybeard]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Nice work.

Do you have any pictures of when it was in the rough glued up stage, before you started carving?

I have some ideas I've been kicking about for some outside gnomes and a wizard. I'm kinda interested to see how you went about your glue up.

Chris.

[bzcarvn]

Re: Cigar Store Indian Lady

Chris, I have lots of pictures, here are a couple. Come to the Lancaster show next weekend at Millersville, I will be there with the Indian. Also, I believe I might know you, I think we have been right across from each other in Vic's class the last two years. And just down the aisle at the Conewago Show.