the power of suggestion. no dogs allowed!
Without a doubt the hardest part of my job is managing the expectations of a client who has ordered a bespoke carving. I’m often presented with an image which may be of another carvers work, something from nature and now possibly even something generated by AI. These can all be good starting points however; it automatically sets an expectation. You can’t stop this! It’s like a first impression and happens in a fraction of second. Apart from the fact I’m a terrible drawer, it’s one of the reasons I rarely offer an anticipated image.
I find descriptions are not only more fluid and creative, they also don’t have boundaries. The most common request I get is for dog carvings. Now as a dog owner myself I personally find this a little odd as if the dog is still in your life, why would you want anything else. And if it’s not, why would you want an inanimate object as compensation. Now I can admit that I do on very rare occasions carve dogs, however they’re never “your” dog!”
Spitting images
Dogs (or any pet indeed) are a bit like humans in that we look at them so much we can instantly tell when something is slightly out of proportion or the dog just isn’t sitting right. In fact, my own dog can get herself into some very peculiar positions and although I know they are right, if you were the carver you’d think she’s some kind of possessed demon. It brings a whole new meaning to the term “dog yoga” right! The level of accuracy and detail means I need to spend so much time on it that the cost is unrealistic. That then brings a level of pressure on me that turns it from a love to detestation. Quite simply it’s a no from me if you ask but I can point you in the direction of a few friends who are exceptional dog carvers.
As easy as 1….
There is an element of this in most of my carvings though, which I suppose is part of the drive to change and improve and naturally develop my style. When I’m carving, I basically have three sized saws for working through the stages. My big saw makes the first cuts on probably 95% of all my carvings. This step is known as blocking out and removes the mass timber which is not part of the carving. This saw is powerful but heavy to hold and the guide bar is 28 inches long so although it’s great for big cuts, it’s more difficult to control on smaller cuts.
2…..
The next stage could be described as secondary blocking. It uses a smaller less powerful but lighter and more controllable saw. Here I’m beginning to refine the shape and make smoother curved cuts. It is possible to take the carving quite some way with this saw if you’re so inclined. This is actually my favourite stage as the carving is still suggestive. If I’m doing live demos and stop, I can hear kids watching making sometimes wild guesses as to what it might be. I love it! There is still so much imagination at this point it almost seems like a waste to take it further. I suppose it’s when you see the monster in a horror film and realise it’s not as bad as the creepy music suggested.
3!
The last stage is detailing. This could be done with one saw which has a finer tip allowing for much smaller cuts, but I actually have three small saws each a bit smaller than the last. Now you’re committed. There’s not enough wood left to make any significant changes so if the leg is a bit too short or the nose is off centre there’s not much you can do. I know of one Japanese carver who can get an incredible finish using just a saw which not only demonstrates knowledge of the wood mechanics but also his level of control.
Just imagine
Living not far from the Kelpies in Falkirk my evening dog walks take me past these massive curvy structures without much blinking of any eye now, but I recently visited the “Skelpies” in Port Glasgow. These playfully named statues are of ship builders carrying out their daily tasks. Their polished finish with square edges is a stark contrast to the smooth dull finish of the two “donkeys.” What I really like about them is that although they are anatomically correct, the square edges are enough to give a suggestion and nothing more, leaving the rest to your imagination.