CHIPMUNK

 

One of my all-time favorite creatures is the Chipmunk. I think when the world was created, I was assigned to the chipmunk and cat development committees. This was a fun little wood burning to do. I've done several chipmunk burnings over the years. This one was done on a simple 6x6x3/8 inch piece of basswood. I drew it lightly out in pencil, then burned it in with various woodburning nibs. I shaded the contours in with a spoon shader, then did the hair also with the edge of the spoon shader. I did the eyeball and the inner ear with a stylist shader. I covered it with 3 coats of MinWax Helsman Spar Urethane spray to prevent UV rays from dimming it. Finished it up in about 3 hours.  Finished 28 August 2025.

Grizzly Head Wood Burn

 

14 August 2025

I did this small 8"x8" wood burning of a grizzly bear face in just a couple of hours. I used various wood burning nibs: shader, spoon shader, and ball shader for eye area. I began by lightly outlining the head and then shading over the entire area of the grizzly basswood to give it a little tone. The contour of the face and head requires some three-dimensional perspective. Using mostly the edge of the heavy duty spoon shader, I laid out the hair in patterns and direction to give it a realistic look. In areas of shadow, I increased the numer of hairs, and increased the heat slightly, as well as shading the area slightly with the spoon shader. I did the eyeball with a ball stylist, beginning with low heat and gently increasing it around the exterior to give it an oval look. When finished, I coated it with 2-3 coats of miniwax Helmsman spar urethane spray. I've found this spray to be good for preventing fading due to ultra violate sunlight.

Grizzly Bear

 

This grizzly was carved out of Basswood. Although basswood is not particularly best for power carving, it was all I had because tupelo was unavailable at the time. I was able to smooth it out with various sanding bits. I tried to give the bear some power-ful contours in its legs and around its neck and face. I used tooth picks and small tapered dowels for the teeth. It was painted with acrylics. The base has a few rocks and sticks to give it a little realistic environment. At first, I tried to cover it with a WATCO Danish Oil stain, similar to what I did with the buffalo, but I found that the wood had areas of light and dark that the stain would not cover. Finally, I decided to paint it with acrylic paint. In places around the fur of the face I tried to give it a little different color to give texture and variety. I'm not real good at that yet. I covered it with a non-gloss sealer spray. It was a fun learning experiment.

GREY WOLF

 

The Grey Wolf was completed on 23 July 2025. It is burned into Bass Wood, using various nibs and shading nibs. 

The Grey Wolf, in addition to mountain lions and coyotes, were exterminated, or nearly so, from Yellowstone in the 1920s in an effort to protect the fledging bison and elk herds in the Park. The Grey Wolf was not reintroduced into Yellowstone ecosystem until 1995, due to their being placed on the endangered species list. There are roughly 120 grey wolves in Yellowstone and 9 wolf packs throughout the Park. Most wolf pack territories include open ranges, such as Lamar, Hayden, and Pelican Valleys.

AMERICAN BISON "BUFFALO BILL"

 

BUFFALO BILL was carved from Tupelop wood with power carving bits. I conceived the image from a wood burning that I did of a buffalo lying down viewed from the rear. I had to use my imagination, as is the case with all art, in actually laying it out and carving. After sanding it with a power sand bit, I brushed on Danish Walnut stain and Woodmin stain in oak and ebony. I painted the horns and nose with a slightly different black-gray. It was a fun project.  Finished on 7 July 2025.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSSBEAK

 

Rose-breasted grosbeaks, often called "cutthroat" because of the red on their throats and chest, are found in eastern North America, with breeding habitats primarily in deciduous and mixed woodlands, especially forest edges and second-growth woodlands. They also frequent orchards, suburban parks and gardens, according to TN.gov. During migration and in winter, they can be found in a wider variety of habitats, including primary and secondary forest, scrub, and even urban areas. 

Hand-carved out of basswood. Painted in acrylic. Legs made with wire base and 

covered with Quickwood.Mounted on wood branch and quaking aspen round.

Western Tanager

 

The western tanager, is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family, it and other members of its genus are classified in the cardinal family. The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family. 

The Western Tanager was a particular delight for me to see in Yellowstone during our summers there. They fed at our bird feeder, and provided a brilliant burst of color amidst the green pine branches. This was also hand-carved from basswood. The eyes are glass purchased online and inset with glue. It is hand-painted with acrylic paint. The legs are made of wire enclosed with Quikwood and painted. They are fastened to a perch that I made out of wood and mounted on a quaking aspen round.