April 15, 2020 by DECarlson

The Life of a Seed

The acorn results in the oak.

They are not the same, but there is continuity.

The red of the acorn remains but is fractured and faded in the bark.

The small and smooth becomes tall and rough.

The oak has become a host for vines and lichen.

This is for a show entitled “The Life of a Seed” at Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, WI. This was scheduled for Lent and Easter, but will be installed and remain in place after the Covid-19 Stay at Home restrictions are relieved.

Both pieces are carved in basswood and painted in acrylics.

March 23, 2020 by DECarlson

Progress on “Oak”

I’m making up the process as I go. Using photo reference transferred with graphite paper, I set in the deep crevices. Bark is rough, so I have to avoid the temptation to smooth things out. Next I textured the surface with a small u shaped gouge. Now I will come in and create intermediate sized crevices and clean up the two vines. That will be as far as I can go with carving. After that will be painting.

Texturing in progress
Deep crevices.

Progress

Continue reading →

March 15, 2020 by DECarlson

Carving during the virus

Now, looking on the positive, there is time to work on carving progress.

Process, photo, transfer, deep crevices first.

This is “Oak” the second piece in “The Life of a Seed”.

March 9, 2020 by DECarlson

The life of a seed

I’ve been invited to participate in a show for Lent and Easter with the title, “The Life of a Seed”. Part one is an acorn in relief. Part two is a segment of an oak tree. This is before and after. Acorn will hang during Lent at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison. The show will be rehung at Easter with the before and after pieces together.

The oak tree is a close up of a tree at the Farley Center.