DickMira

Thanks, Jeaheon. Almost all of my frames are made by me. Thanks for the kind comment about the project. Dick

This finished portrait was 19" x 13" completed on a beautiful piece of nicely figured elm. Note that the two sides of the face and neck were treated in different ways. The spots on the left side of the giraffe's face were finished using standard fretwork techniques with a satin black backer board and the spots on the right side were carved, textured, and darkened with burnt umber staining. These choices were made simply for their artistic variation. There are nine sub-species of giraffes and each has a unique coat pattern with variations in the color of the spots among the different species.

This piece was done for my granddaughter's room after the decor in her bedroom was changed following a family trip to that famous place in Orlando. It is a layered format with each layer finished before assembly. The finished castle protrudes about 3 1/2 inches from the painted background. Yes, this is a deviation from my usual style.

Hello Dick: You always are so complimentary with your comments about my work and I certainly do appreciate your interest. It is always great to receive kudos from someone who has so much more experience than you do. If you lived closer, I would welcome a visit from you. One of the Wildlife Photographers whose photos I have frequently used for scroll projects lives in Gold Canyon, AZ. I don't know if you are close to there. Dick

Bob, this piece was approximately 24" tall x 18" wide. This was the first time I had done a human as most of my work involves wildlife subjects. I had to spend time searching historical records for a proper photograph which is somewhat limited and I wanted to create a portrait of a younger man rather than an older one. The entire project took about one month to complete. This was the first time I had drawn a scroll saw portrait pattern also. Dick

In this day of consolidations, our church was joined by another in our area and we selected a new patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe. I decided to create a portrait for our church. Combining the techniques of scroll sawing, portrait design, carved fretwork, and oil staining, this project was completed. It was dedicated and blessed and is now hanging in our church. Dick

Thanks for all the nice comments. For clarification, this entire project is scrolled and carved from one thick board including the frame.

A few years ago. a local organization of bird watchers wanted to introduce some Ospreys into a lake in our area. They built a high tower and the start of a nest on a platform on the top. The lake contained an ample supply of fish and a pair of these birds were introduced. The whole procedure was successful, the birds had an offspring and returned the following years to continue the process. I did this project to commemorate this success. I also made the textured frame. Dick

This piece was scrolled on a special wood, Kauri from New Zealand that was certified after carbon dating to be over 50,000 years old. These huge trees, similar to giant sequoias in California, were found underground in a farm area. These huge logs are excavated, collected, and air dried for over a year before they are milled into lumber for use, especially for large furniture pieces. The huge diameter of the logs provides great slabs for very big conference tables and other commercial projects. When finish is applied, tiny golden or bronze flecks appear, called a chatoyant grain,.

Another place that has walnut via mail order is Ocooch Hardwoods.com, Larry Hope you find what you are looking for. Dick

I can sometimes find it at a flea market, local people sometimes mill a tree from their property. Sometimes you can find it in small lumber yards in rural areas. You can buy small pieces from www.rockler.com as a mail order source.

This project was done on a new wood for me from Uruguay called Red Grandis, It was nice to work with. This is the natural color, a light reddish tone.

I appreciate all the fine comments. The wood that this project is done on is Black Walnut. When I am contemplating a scroll project, I spend time studying the hardwoods, native and imported, for the grain patterns, defects, knots, bark, raw edges, color and general shape. Then, I decide on a pattern, it's size, orientation, pattern modification, etc.as well as the subject. The "sun rays" on this board were very dramatic and told me how the jaguar would be placed. Didn't have to think about that one too much. I was very pleased how this improved the jaguars presence. I will show you another project where the black walnut spoke up. The pheasant demonstrated the classic startled response and was shooting up from brush, grasses, and weeds. When you see the grain patterns on this board, you can see why no cutting or carving could improve that.

i have just joined the Scrollsaw Village and while scanning the site, I noticed that the January Challenge was about your first scrolled projects. From a historical perspective, I would like to tell you a story. I was in an antique marketplace and as I was leaving, I spotted a nice oak picture frame lying on the floor against the wall. I picked it up and asked the owner, "How much?" and he said, "I guess it's such an odd size, people don't have a picture to fit it, I'll sell it to you for $5.00" So I took it. When I got it home, on examination it was a professionally made oak frame with a liner and had never been used. I knew I had gotten a real bargain. A few days later, I started an all day class in scroll sawing with my saw. The course and the instructor were excellent. Along with many learning activities, we spent some time cutting lines and zig-zags on practice patterns. This was as exciting as tracing letters in elementary school. I had to find another activity to learn how to scroll. I decided to try a project for my new frame, a bit large for a beginning piece. I cut a plywood board to fit the frame. It was 24" x 21", pretty large for an initial project. I found some scroll saw patterns for sale on a machinery website that stated "NO PILOT HOLES REQUIRED" and thought this was a great idea. Because of the size of the frame, I bought two layered patterns to fill the frame. After cutting miles of kerfs in light, thin plywood, my scroll sawing skills had a huge improvement. Layering and gluing the pieces was the easy part. We still have this project hanging in our home. I have cut many scroll saw patterns since that time and have never seen another pattern that stated "NO PILOT HOLES REQUIRED". Are these types of patterns still available today? Regards, Dick

This is Sue Mey's Jaguar getting some Sunshine!

Following a fantastic vacation at this beautiful national park in Montana, I decided to create a scrollsaw piece of the animals we had encountered during this visit. Interestingly, the frame was constructed first from spalted white oak and then the animals were completed.

Thank you Marg. This was used on the cover of Creative Woodworks and Crafts in an issue that demonstrated the step by step process for creating this piece

Thanks for the kind comments and warm welcome. Happy to hear from you, Melanie and Spirithorse. The last thing I remember was the destruction in Christ Church in New Zealand. Didn't hear from you after that. You were in my prayers. Glad you've kept busy here in the Village. Dick

The Owl head is done on a two inch thick slab of Black Cherry wood grown on our property.

Cut and carved on a natural edge piece of Black Cherry growing in our property.

These grey wolves are carved after scrolling and color stained with oil paints. The eyes are formed with ground gemstones mixed with acrylic gel. The two wolves in the lower corners are inlaid oak.

Took your advice, Denny, and became a member of Scrollsaw Village! Dick

This piece was cut on a scroll saw, carved with a rotary carver with assorted bits and carvers, and stained with oil paints.