Divi Divi Tree

[FranMike Harley]

Hi all.. Ok so here's my latest completed project.. 

 

My Wife and I love Aruba and the Divi Divi tree is their local variety of a tree. It has an unusual shape, they say, because of the constant winds there.. We came back last year with one of the local artists painting of the tree and I thought it would be a good project for this newbie to tackle..

 

Thanks to this Community, I found posts about INKSCAPE, downloaded it, watched a few YouTube videos, and used it for the first time with this project - mainly using the "bezier" tool. (BTW - I would HIGHLY suggest INKSCAPE to anyone who wants to create their own patterns, easy enough for a novice to use.)

 

I've attached screen shots below of the original drawing and the steps I took to get to the final project..  It's roughly 9.5 x 7", 1/4" birch, stained with Danish Oil. All in all, the entire project, from scanning the painting --> Inkscape --> modifications --> pattern --> cutout - took me about 4/5 hours, give or take.. I was going to put it on a base but the Wife wants to hang it up instead..

 

I'd love to hear constructive criticism - which will help me improve..  For only being my 4th or 5th project, I don't think it came out that bad but then again, you folks are the experts and I value your opinions.. So please, opinion away !!  

 

Not sure if the photos will post in order so I numbered the steps..

 

Thank you !!!

[LarryEA]

Thank you for posting a series of pictures. 

That is great work.

 

Semper Fidelis!!

[Scrolling Steve]

Mike, Thanks for sharing the process, Fine work!

[Young_Scroller]

looks really good for your 4th or 5th, thanks for sharing

[lawson56]

Awesome work.I have seen these trees on T.V. never knew what they were called.Now I know.Always learning at The Village.

[DWSUDEKUM]

Very nicely done Mike.  That will look great hanging off a window.  Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

DW

[Gordster]

Very nice work all around Mike...nice way to show it to us.

[amazingkevin]

Beautiful project!

[wombatie]

Who's a clever boy then?????????     I think you did an excellent job all round but I do have to disagree with your wife....sorry......but I think it would look better as a free standing project maybe under where you hang the original.

 

Marg

[Lucky2]

Mike, it's a good looking piece, have you checked to see what it would look like with a backer?

Len

[FranMike Harley]

I would like to thank everyone for your kind words and comments.. Very much appreciated and love the feedback.. We are still considering other options on how to display the piece..

 

Marge (on a base) / Len (backer):  

 

Base: We've discussed the base option with a little spotlight placed in front of it so it would actually show the shadow of the piece on a wall.

Backer: We've also talked about putting a light blue backer where the cutouts of the sky and water are. 

 

@DW: If we do eventually hang it, it most likely will go in a window where a casting shadow in the house might be a great accent.

 

Thank you all again !!!

[Sparkey]

Great job on cutting and the pattern.

[bobscroll]

Hi Mike, You've done a good project there and using Inkscape! If you convert all the parts of your pattern to a "path" you can "union" them together as one O.K. Thank you for showing us,

Bob           

[newfie]

Nice work thanks for sharing