Bark Carving

[RangerJay]

Three years ago the woodcarving club in the next town put on a weekend of bark carving with Rick Jensen.  I was lucky enough to attend but in a room chalk full of highly accomplished carvers I was the sole neophyte ..... but what a great weekend and what a learning experience!!  The creativity and talent in Rick and everyone who attended just blew me away.  I didn't get my little project finished that weekend and, unfortunately, quickly got on to other "stuff" when I got home.  The other day I was cleaning out the workshop - found it in the "unfinished bin" and decided it was time to finish it up - although I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out I don't think I will give up the scrollsaw - at least my wife gives me a passing grade and has put it in the "never to give away" category of my work.

 

Jay

 

 

Edited June 25, 2017 by RangerJay

[merlin]

well that's different..........how stable is bark carving and what is the thickness of your exquisite piece please....................Merlin.................

[JOE_M]

I have never heard of bark carving but it looks very interesting. Can you explain more about it - like what type of bark, any special way it needs harvested, how does it cut compared to basswood or other normally carved woods, is that a stain you put on the one in the pic? (It looks like two distinct colors) Any special tools etc.

thanks

Joe.

[RangerJay]

I am absolutely not the right person to answer questions on bark carving - but I will try to point you in the right direction.  The extent of my entire knowledge is:

• the bark of choice is Cottonwood (in our area we call it Poplar - but it is not up to the same quality).
• the bark is harvested from dead trees - dead long enough to make removal easy
• the best bark comes from the prairie states and provinces and areas immediately adjacent (I think).
• the most common subjects are wood spirits, whimsical houses, and portraits (I think).
• once you get past the hard outer layer carving is easy - much easier than Basswood or any other species - but different - the material is brittle and, if you are too aggressive, will shave off unpredictably or break - CA glue is a close friend (this I know)
• Canada Customs does not like the idea of bringing bark across the border from the U.S. ....... (this I know)

There .....

You've got it all .....

My knowledge reserves are exhausted .....

What follows are a couple of websites that will provide you a lot more genuine information than I have:

http://www.rickjensenwoodcarving.com/index.html

http://www.carvingmagazine.com/wood-carving/projects/27-carving-a-bark-woodspirit

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bark+carving&rlz=1C1CHZL_enCA724CA724&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWo6-r-NnUAhVG34MKHekuDVsQsAQIJg&biw=1093&bih=541

Should tell you - on my own project I used a walnut analine stain on the shingles and then Minwax spray polyurethane over all - this is contrary to what I learned at the workshop - there everyone used coloured or neutral wax.

Really hope this helps answer your questions or gives you a place to go to get them answered.

Thanks,

 

Jay

Edited June 25, 2017 by RangerJay

[JOE_M]

Cool. I was going to say the only trees I have around here with bark are mesquite, but I forgot all about the cottonwoods down near the san pedro river. I'll have to take a hike out there when it's cooler and see if I can find any dead trees.

[Rob]

That's an awesome carving Jay.  I love it.

Rob

[meflick]

Beautiful job and can see why your wife put it on the never give away pile of work.  I DO NOT need any new ideas of things to try though!  So I will not follow any of your links (but appreciate you sharing them. BUT I do NOT need another thing to try.  I do not, I do not. . . . . . ) 

[Clayton717]

looks great. something else I would like to try " carving" just haven't taken the leap yet.

[Scrappile]

I agree with Clayton only I have tried carving, have some real nice carving knives, book everything I need except talent for it!!

I really like what you did.  I would not give up is If could do that good.

[spirithorse]

Very, very nice, Jay!
Lots of talent shown there. Thank you very much for sharing it with us.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[amazingkevin]

On 6/25/2017 at 2:17 PM, RangerJay said:

Three years ago the woodcarving club in the next town put on a weekend of bark carving with Rick Jensen.  I was lucky enough to attend but in a room chalk full of highly accomplished carvers I was the sole neophyte ..... but what a great weekend and what a learning experience!!  The creativity and talent in Rick and everyone who attended just blew me away.  I didn't get my little project finished that weekend and, unfortunately, quickly got on to other "stuff" when I got home.  The other day I was cleaning out the workshop - found it in the "unfinished bin" and decided it was time to finish it up - although I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out I don't think I will give up the scrollsaw - at least my wife gives me a passing grade and has put it in the "never to give away" category of my work.

 

Jay

 

 

I'm highly impressed at your endeavors!