Sunday, February 11, 2018

Carving on a Bird Feeder


Carving on a Bird Feeder

I've been bird carving. And for the first time carving into a flat surface (the leaves on the feeder). The birds were painted with acrylic paints that were thinned with a glazing liquid. I sanded some highlights after the paint was dry. 

Back of the Feeder

The leaves were carved with a V tool and painted with watercolour. I wanted them very transparent. Watercolour can bleed from where you want it with the grain of the wood. It takes patience and a building up in layers using a fairly dry watercolour mix.

The Carved Roof

The lovely bird feeders were made by CDSCL Woodshop for the Art Trot Fund Raiser in Creston, BC. The money raised when they are put for sale goes to the Therapeutic Riding Program. http://www.cdscl.com/.

Cardinal 

A female cardinal was sighted over a period of time in Cranbrook, B.C. in 2017. Wouldn't we like to see one at our feeder.

The cardinal, mountain chickadee and mountain bluebird were carved from a 3/4" piece of bass wood. I love carving these decorative birds as although they require some shaping, mainly with a flat carving knife, they are not as intricate and time consuming as carving a 3 dimensional bird such as the winterwren (A.K.A. pacific wren) pictured farther below. 

Mountain Chickadee

 I had a lovely mountain chickadee at our bird feeder today.

Mountain Bluebird

Alas, I didn't have any bluebirds at my feeder today. Once in the winter, I was fortunate enough to see one in Arizona.

The Winterwren/Pacific Wren with the Big Voice

One of my most favorite birds.

 Harris's Sparrow

This Harris's Sparrow showed up in our feeder today after almost a month of not sighting it. It is a rare sighting here, especially at this time of year. I was delighted to see it! Can you tell how different his feathers look on his head? All finely dotted.

I know I am going to have to carve or paint him one day. Heh wait, I did paint him. Let me find that photo.

Experimenting with Alcohol Inks. 
The alcohol ink technique was so much fun.

I know I have been away from blogging for a bit. I was busy with a very big project. I will post about it later on. Has winter got you in the creative spirit?


3 comments:

Laura said...

So pretty Eileen! Art Trot is a great cause to support, they will be over the moon to receive this birdfeeder!

Win Dinn, Artist said...

What a wonderful job you've done on this feeder, Eileen - it's outstanding, and no doubt will bring a tidy sum at the silent auction March 3rd and 4th. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in real life! Congratulations on this great project!

Mellowood Gallery said...

A wonderful job on the carving and the painting, Eileen - great idea!