Whittling

[Optatus]

Any whittlers?

I recently got back into it and decided to buy some paints to boot. Came up with this goofy Santa today.

[Lynne]

That's a beautiful job! How long did that take you?

[Optatus]

All told about three hours. You should see what some of the pros can come up with. It's mindboggling.

[Gardener]

Looks pretty cool. You should see what you can come up w/ for saints. If you do it in a sort of Southwest Santos or Penitentes styles, the lack of advanced artistry is part and parcel to the style.

People pay big bucks for that stuff.

[Optatus]

Looks pretty cool. You should see what you can come up w/ for saints. If you do it in a sort of Southwest Santos or Penitentes styles, the lack of advanced artistry is part and parcel to the style.

People pay big bucks for that stuff.

Sounds interesting. Do you have any examples? I tried Googling it but I don't think I'm seeing what you're referring to. Maybe I'll make that my next project and post the results.

[Gardener]

Try googling "santos statue" or "southwest religious statue"

If you google "southwest religious folk art statue" and go to the image results, there's a bunch.

[Christe Eleison]

Looks pretty cool. You should see what you can come up w/ for saints. If you do it in a sort of Southwest Santos or Penitentes styles, the lack of advanced artistry is part and parcel to the style.

People pay big bucks for that stuff.

Sounds interesting. Do you have any examples? I tried Googling it but I don't think I'm seeing what you're referring to. Maybe I'll make that my next project and post the results.

There are some in these links as well as on Pinterest.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pictures+of+whittling+santos+statues&qpvt=pictures+of+whittling+santos+statues&FORM=IGRE

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=santos+statue+whittling&qpvt=santos+statue+whittling&FORM=IGRE
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Santos+Carvings&FORM=IRBPRS&=0

[Optatus]

I'm working on another one now. I think these "santos statues" are of a style that, quite frankly, I can't replicate at the moment. Maybe with some more practice. But I am looking at them and trying to incorporate some of the ideas on display into my current project. I typically carve basswood/white pine and a lot of these statues look like they're made of sterner wood.

In any event, I'm carving a sort of traditional "Father Christmas," mitre and all, and will post the results if I'm satisfied with them.

I'd be especially interested in Akavit's imput on whittling. From what I've seen, he's the woodmaster around here, though I think he's more interested in carpentry (i.e., the sophistacted stuff) than piddling about with knives like me.

Apart from that, I'm glad I got back into whittling. I'd forgotten what a great little pleasure it is. If anyone's looking for a new, inexpensive hobby - I can't recommend it enough.

[Elizabeth]

Looks pretty cool. You should see what you can come up w/ for saints. If you do it in a sort of Southwest Santos or Penitentes styles, the lack of advanced artistry is part and parcel to the style.

People pay big bucks for that stuff.

  And clever wooden pull toys $$$ for kids of all ages. Nice work, Optatus.

[Josephine87]

Beautiful work, Optatus!  I love seeing people still doing hobbies like this.  It's very satisfying to make something with your hands!