Monday, February 6, 2012

Carved With Love

I have often talked about my Papa on my blog and how much influence he has had on my life.
One big influence was how much he loved to create things and use his hands.
He was always doing something, painting, reworking things, making things for my brother and I whether it be a scooter, a t-ball tee, a picture made with felt, a canopy for my bed or simply just fiddling away in his workroom on his workbench filled with anything and everything you can possible imagine.
(I like to think he was the MacGyver of his time, which he also LOVED to watch)

It wasn't until later in his life, not exactly sure when, but he started to carve birds and ducks.
He LOVED birds and ducks and he could name almost all of them and if he didn't know, he had books and books that would tell him.
It was something that he started before my grandma passed and something that kept him going after.

He taught us to appreciate wildlife and the outdoors, a bug that has really bitten my brother most of all.

Anyway, I wanted to show you some of his carvings that either my mom, my brother or I have in our homes.  After he passed some of them were given to loved ones and some to a Senior Citizen Center where he would go from time to time and these were the ones that we kept.


As you scroll through, keep in mind that he carved all of these from blocks of wood using hand tools, not power tools.    He would then use a burning tool to create detail in feathers and some he painted, some stained.
He would work hours and hours on these and enjoy every second.


There are a quite a few photos, so relax and enjoy. :)

"Red Tail Hawk"


He created the bases for them by replicating natural surroundings using real and artificial materials.
(He did not carve the bases)



You can see the details in the feathers from the wood burning tool.



This is a chickadee or wren, can't remember.
He is a bit beat up through the years and you will notice an unfortunate theme with them,
cat bite marks and chewed up areas.

 


Not sure what it is with cats and wood.


"Hummingbird"


He did carve the flower are well.




"Sand Piper"




He carved the feet for the Sand Piper and glued the pieces together.


"Pin-Tailed Duck"


You can really see the detail on him.



"Loon"




He had to stop carving a few years before he passed due to some medical issues but I will never forget him working on these beautiful birds and how happy he was and proud of them he was, as he should be, if I may say so. :)

I am pretty positive I could never do this but I am happy to know that part of his creative ability lives in my heart and soul and the desire to work with my hands will never fade because of him.

Thank you so much for letting me share these with you.

Hugs!

Photobucket

47 comments:

tinajo said...

Fantastic - truly the work of an artist! :-)

gpc said...

How beautiful, and what an inspiration to people like me, who didn't start any kind of craft early. Maybe it could still happen!

Robin Johnson said...

His work is truly amazing. What a wonderful works of art you have to remind you of him and his creativity.

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

Those are so beautiful. My very favorite ones are the Hummingbird and the Sand Piper. Such a special grandpa and talent. Thanks for the smiles today.

a quiet life said...

those are so beautiful they almost bring tears to my eye that you had such a talented father. what wonderful gifts to cherish... can you imagine the skill that takes to make wood fly. just wonderful...

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Daddies are special.

My daddy made beautiful things too, but his scale was too large to move around with me! I believe that he could have been a design engineer for Disney, but lack of an education kept his natural talents limited to his magical workshop in his garage, and his audience whittled down to a big brown-eyed daughter, in awe of this paternal gift.

I LOVE EACH PIECE here and you have a treasure dear Michelle. Keep painting!!! Anita

Cassie Bustamante said...

WOW! those are so so special and so beautiful! so sweet, michelle- a true treasure.

beachcomber said...

these are really amazing and beautiful works of art!
i see where you get your creativity michelle.
x

Deborah said...

These are s o intricate and so beautiful Michelle.
It looks like he put his heart and soul into each one!
What treasures you and yoru family have to be able to have his hand-made carvings around you.
Precious!
Thank you for sharing something so meaningful to you with us hunny xo

All my love,
Deborah xoxoxoxo

NanaDiana said...

Michelle- Wow! What a talented man and something that will live on in your family history. How fortunate to have all these pieces to remember him doing something he loved. xo Diana

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

What beautiful pieces he created and I can tell they were labors of love. I really liked the hummingbird and the sandpiper, and the duck is excellent! What lovely keepsakes for you to treasure. Isn't it nice to run your hands over them and think that he did the same?

michele said...

the flower. the FLOWER.

beyond lovely.

michele

Low Tide High Style said...

Wow Michelle, I can see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree and that you inherited his artistic abilities. Carvings are a personal favorite of mine, the artistry and patience that it takes to create them is amazing. How lucky you and your family are to have these treasures!

Kat :)

SOMMERWHITE said...

Beautiful work of art !!
xx Gaby

Completely Coastal said...

These are great! The details on the Pin-Tailed Duck are amazing..., and of course I love, love the sand piper. How wonderful to have these in the home!

Everything Coastal said...

How wonderful to have these special carvings from your dad! What great memories and comfort they must bring you.

Love the details and care that he poured into each piece, you are a lucky girl.

Caron

My Mummy Daze said...

Wow, what a talent! I love the sandpiper the best :)

Desire Empire said...

I can see where you get your creativity from. The detail is fabulous. Amazing that they started out as blocks of wood
Carolyn xx

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

These are gorgeous and look at the details. I love the Hummingbird one. Your dad was one talented man.

Melissah said...

What inspiring pieces...love them
x
Melissah from Coastal Style

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Thank you for coming by, Michelle! So lovely here....Anita

Anonymous said...

Oh! I couldn't believe the carvings on that pin tailed duck. It's extraordinary. A work of an artist that we never can really DIY.

That you are his daughter is so evident from your creativeness.

Beautiful post Michelle :)

coastal femme said...

Wow, what a true artisan your grandfather was!

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

What a wonderful story to share with us! Such amazing talent... that hummingbird is my favorite but I can see the sandpiper fitting into your home just perfectly!

What wonderful keepsakes and memories to have to go with them.

~Chris

Tricia said...

These are so beautiful, Michelle. The pin-tailed duck is my favorite. Just look at all the little strokes that make up those feathers...it must have taken him forever to do that. Thanks for sharing something with us that holds such a special place in your heart.

xo

Tonya @ Love of Family And Home said...

Wow!! The detail in these birds is pretty amazing!! You definitely inherited some of is talent Michelle!!

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

How precious they must be to you and your family. They are beautiful and so full of detail. I can see where you get your creative talent from! Have a lovely day :)

Debbie said...

How neat that you have these reminders of your Papa, Michelle.
You can close your eyes and picture him carving away...doing what he loved. Then open your eyes, and hold the piece that he carved in your hands....having a memory you can actually hang onto.
xxoo

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

What beautiful works of art, so glad you have them with memories attached!

Stacy CUrran said...

Michelle, those are truly amazing. Absolutely gorgeous! Your father had real talent, and I know you'll treasure those forever!
Stacy

Beach House Living said...

Amazing work and talent and family treasures for sure.

Lori said...

Love finding a great new blog to follow. I'm following you now with the new Linky tool, so follow back so we can stay connected, Lori

Roeshel said...

What beautiful work and wonderful treasures - the actual pieces and your memories. Thank you for sharing with us, Michelle.

Kirsty Girl said...

What a talent! I love the humming bird in particular. So pretty.

Martina said...

These birds are so beautiful and really well done Michelle! Your papa was a real artist and somehow, these birds also reflect your style a bit i think - the mood, the colors - it's all in the family! Happy wednesday!

Plumrose Lane said...

What an extraordinary gift to have such a wonderful and talented soul in your lives!
♥Sharon

Ral @ARTbyRT Seascapes and Island Life said...

These have such a great feeling for the birds! Even chewed on by the cats, cuz that's what cats do.

When I get my budget together I am going to redo my bath and right now I am leaning to birds as the decor!

Jessie Saxton said...

What wonderful memories:) I am glad that you have these gorgeous pieces to love, and remember your special papa by.

Enjoy the mild weather we are having. I am making a trip to the lakefront tomorrow (and maybe Starbucks!).

Hugs!
Jessie

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

These are so wonderful Michelle! The pin tailed duck is amazing. The sand piper is my favorite though. I just love those little birds.

Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

rjerdee said...

Wow, Michelle...these are awesome...no wonder you like to make things with your hands...it's your dad's legacy to you :)

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

Michelle - his carvings are so beautiful and what a treasure for you to have them as a continual reminder of how much he will always mean to you! He was truly talented.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How amazing! I especially love the sandpiper! One of my sons can carve but he hasn't had time to work at it lately. I hope he can at some time! It's a talent...for sure! ♥

Muskokangirl said...

I think the Sand Piper is my favourite, mostly because it reminds me of the beach! ;) You can tell his heart was in his work, absolutely beautiful! I couldn't help but to laugh out loud at the cat bite marks...silly kitty...mine has done the same to other items...their character shows up everywhere!
Thanks for sharing!

Comeca Jones said...

How beautiful Michelle and so lucky to have memories of him.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Wow! Those are amazing, lovely girl. And how incredibly special for you to still have these as cherished memories. Thank you for sharing something so personal to you.

Sarahx

reFresh reStyle said...

Your Papa was an amazing artist. What wonderful treasures to remember him with! Is your whole family as talented as you and Papa? Have a great weekend!
Debbie

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

Wow! He did some amazing work! I love the simplicity of the Sand Piper. But they really are all wonderful. What great memories you have with all these.

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