'Short Eared Parliament', Reference Pics-Environment 1
September 13, 2010 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
I visited the Nanaimo River Estuary Conservation Area, the known habitat of the Short Eared Owl on Vancouver Island, to take the following reference photos for use in planning the design of the sculpture.
The owls return to the area in late October or early November when I'll get some shots of the birds in situ.
In the meantime, I'll begin the planning of the sculpture with reference shots of the Short Eared Owl found in books and on the internet.
More Text and Images ...
The owls return to the area in late October or early November when I'll get some shots of the birds in situ.
In the meantime, I'll begin the planning of the sculpture with reference shots of the Short Eared Owl found in books and on the internet.
More Text and Images ...
'Short Eared Parliament' (Begin 1) by Shane Wilson
September 09, 2010 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
This is a fresh commission for a carved moose antler and skull sculpture with a theme to be based around the Short Eared Owl. Since a grouping of owls is called a 'parliament', I have named this sculpture, 'Short Eared Parliament'.
(There is also a more pedestrian meaning for parliament, which describes the group of sage individuals our nation throws together to conduct our collective business here in Canada and in other countries structured during the British Empire.)
I am fortunate to live near a known habitat for the Short Eared Owl on Vancouver Island. They overwinter on the Nanaimo River Estuary, arriving in late October or early November. I'll visit the Estuary Ecological Reserve Area next to take reference photographs for the background and detail of the sculpture.
These are very large antlers to carve with an enormous surface area. I am estimating that the design of carving of this antler skull set will take at least two years.
This moose antler skull set came to me from Yukoner John Maissan.
John Maissan with the moose antler rack and skull which will become 'Short Eared Parliament'
He hunted this animal for subsistence in 2007 and kindly packed the skull and antlers out of the bush for me. This was no mean feat as the rack measures 5 feet across and weighed over 100 lbs!
(There is also a more pedestrian meaning for parliament, which describes the group of sage individuals our nation throws together to conduct our collective business here in Canada and in other countries structured during the British Empire.)
I am fortunate to live near a known habitat for the Short Eared Owl on Vancouver Island. They overwinter on the Nanaimo River Estuary, arriving in late October or early November. I'll visit the Estuary Ecological Reserve Area next to take reference photographs for the background and detail of the sculpture.
These are very large antlers to carve with an enormous surface area. I am estimating that the design of carving of this antler skull set will take at least two years.
This moose antler skull set came to me from Yukoner John Maissan.
John Maissan with the moose antler rack and skull which will become 'Short Eared Parliament'
He hunted this animal for subsistence in 2007 and kindly packed the skull and antlers out of the bush for me. This was no mean feat as the rack measures 5 feet across and weighed over 100 lbs!
'Dawson City Councilor Broaches', 2000 (Finished) by Shane Wilson (carved mammoth ivory tusk)
June 13, 2000 Categories: Dawson Broaches | Portfolio Images
Done! The pieces are finished to a satin sheen with 1200 grit sandpaper. I considered using polish, but decided against it in this case. A higher polish on these small carvings would cause them to vanish when photographed by tourists visiting Dawson City, or when the Councillors are having their portraits taken.
In the final phase, the carvings were refined, details and the gold nuggets were added, then sanded using the Dremel, with a sanding attachment I fashioned. Several years ago, T-BO (see link on Links page), taught me how to make this attachment, while he was attending the Great Northern Arts Festival, Inuvik.
First, take a nail (1/8" dia), cut off the head, then cut a slit into the end. Tear a small rectangle of sandpaper from a commercial sheet, fold it in half lengthwise and insert into slit. Install assembly into the Dremel, and presto, instant sanding wheel. The beauty of this system for rotory sanding is that you can change the grits easily and when the paper wears out, it can be replaced cheaply in seconds.
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
In the final phase, the carvings were refined, details and the gold nuggets were added, then sanded using the Dremel, with a sanding attachment I fashioned. Several years ago, T-BO (see link on Links page), taught me how to make this attachment, while he was attending the Great Northern Arts Festival, Inuvik.
First, take a nail (1/8" dia), cut off the head, then cut a slit into the end. Tear a small rectangle of sandpaper from a commercial sheet, fold it in half lengthwise and insert into slit. Install assembly into the Dremel, and presto, instant sanding wheel. The beauty of this system for rotory sanding is that you can change the grits easily and when the paper wears out, it can be replaced cheaply in seconds.
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
'Dawson City Councilor Broaches' (Phase 3) by Shane Wilson (carved mammoth ivory tusk)
May 12, 2000 Categories: Dawson Broaches
Refining as I go, it is interesting to make some comparisons between this phase and the last.
I have gone off track a little on faces of the mammoth and the wolf. Also, I have lost a little of the overflowing nature of the water coming out of the gold pan. The pattern behind the caribou is a little distracting, particularly the head - I will simplify the area and clean up the lines on the mountain.
Though it is not visible in the pic, the background behind the wolf and raven is a book, symbolizing the paper nature of First Nation life today. They have been in the midst of negotiating land claims and self government agreements for the last three decades, and now face the complexities of living with those agreements.
The small burrs used for this portion are from my trusty neighbourhood dentist. I find it a little difficult to control the tools to achieve the level of modeling that I am after, but I will use a magnifying lamp for the finishing work. I have also renewed my supply of smaller Dremel carbide burrs. Missing the smallest carbides has been a handicap, but they should come in handy now for the final details and edges.
For the final phase, I will finish the shapes, apply the surface textures and then polish. They should be done within the next week. Dawson City has chosen not to mount the broaches at this time. The cost is far greater than I imagined, but no searching for a substitute mounting method has born fruit. A local goldsmith will mount the broaches when funds become available.
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
I have gone off track a little on faces of the mammoth and the wolf. Also, I have lost a little of the overflowing nature of the water coming out of the gold pan. The pattern behind the caribou is a little distracting, particularly the head - I will simplify the area and clean up the lines on the mountain.
Though it is not visible in the pic, the background behind the wolf and raven is a book, symbolizing the paper nature of First Nation life today. They have been in the midst of negotiating land claims and self government agreements for the last three decades, and now face the complexities of living with those agreements.
The small burrs used for this portion are from my trusty neighbourhood dentist. I find it a little difficult to control the tools to achieve the level of modeling that I am after, but I will use a magnifying lamp for the finishing work. I have also renewed my supply of smaller Dremel carbide burrs. Missing the smallest carbides has been a handicap, but they should come in handy now for the final details and edges.
For the final phase, I will finish the shapes, apply the surface textures and then polish. They should be done within the next week. Dawson City has chosen not to mount the broaches at this time. The cost is far greater than I imagined, but no searching for a substitute mounting method has born fruit. A local goldsmith will mount the broaches when funds become available.
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
'Dawson City Councilor Broaches' (Phase 2) by Shane Wilson (carved mammoth ivory tusk)
April 05, 2000 Categories: Dawson Broaches
I have roughed out all of the broaches, some a little more than others.
The First Nations Broach will feature a running wolf and flying raven, indicating the hectic pace of life for most FN's today. With pressing land claim and self government issues, I may make the background of this broach into a book, indicating the paper nature of much of contemporary FN life.
The carving is basic relief work, with 1/8" bits and smaller. The ivory is a wonderful medium, since it is consistent throughout and allows for high relief and wonderful detail.
The broaches were very difficult to photograph with my digital camera. Please excuse the slight blurriness, since the focal length on the camera was not quite short enough for the purpose. I also tried inverting the broaches to heighten the shadows, but that created a bizarre image when the pics were turned right-side up. It gave the illusion that each carving was reversed - the highest points of relief appeared to be the lowest and vice-versa. I rephotographed everything right-side-up and the results are below.
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
The First Nations Broach will feature a running wolf and flying raven, indicating the hectic pace of life for most FN's today. With pressing land claim and self government issues, I may make the background of this broach into a book, indicating the paper nature of much of contemporary FN life.
The carving is basic relief work, with 1/8" bits and smaller. The ivory is a wonderful medium, since it is consistent throughout and allows for high relief and wonderful detail.
The broaches were very difficult to photograph with my digital camera. Please excuse the slight blurriness, since the focal length on the camera was not quite short enough for the purpose. I also tried inverting the broaches to heighten the shadows, but that created a bizarre image when the pics were turned right-side up. It gave the illusion that each carving was reversed - the highest points of relief appeared to be the lowest and vice-versa. I rephotographed everything right-side-up and the results are below.
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
'Dawson City Councilor Broaches' (Beginning) by Shane Wilson (carved mammoth ivory tusk)
November 01, 1999 Categories: Dawson Broaches
The City of Dawson has commissioned five mammoth ivory carvings to be set by a jeweler as broaches or pins.
The first mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent Beringia - the land mass that opened up during the last ice age accross the Bering Sea, allowing the passage of people, mammoths, and other ice age fauna. Dawson was located at the tip of Beringia and was not glaciated. That is why there are so many ice age remains in the Dawson area, including mammoth ivory, waiting to be discovered by the placer miners. The drawing I have chosen for this carving is by Renaldino, a talented Yukon artist who specializes in portraying Beringia.
The second mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the Yukon First Nation (Han) located in the Dawson area. Council chose to represent their relationship with the First Nation through the portrayal of a wolf and raven, symbols of the clan or family structure. Since I am not a FN artist, I will not use their symbology in my representation of the wolf and raven, but will carve something in my own style.
The third mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the new park formed just north of Dawson on the Dempster Highway, Tombstone Park. The formation of the park is a first in the Yukon and is an effort to begin to preserve for all time key bioregions in the Yukon. Kudos to the Yukon Government for concluding an historic and farsighted arrangement! Within the park, the Porqupine Caribou Herd has part of its wintering grounds, so I will try to carve a caribou in the foreground.
The fourth mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the midnight sun as viewed from the "Dome", a mountain viewpoint above Dawson City. The midnight sun is a remarkable phenomenon in the north. Many travel to the area around June 21 each year to witness the sun that does not set. It approaches the horizon then climbs again into the sky. The carving will include something of the vista from the Dome, looking north, and a time-lapsed view of the sun in its course.
The fifth and final mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the raison d'etre of Dawson City. Gold! The carving will be of a gold pan from which will flow a river of gold. Inside the centre of the pan are the hills of Dawson, from which the gold bearing rivers flow. I may even add a few flecks of the yellow ore for interest!
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
The first mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent Beringia - the land mass that opened up during the last ice age accross the Bering Sea, allowing the passage of people, mammoths, and other ice age fauna. Dawson was located at the tip of Beringia and was not glaciated. That is why there are so many ice age remains in the Dawson area, including mammoth ivory, waiting to be discovered by the placer miners. The drawing I have chosen for this carving is by Renaldino, a talented Yukon artist who specializes in portraying Beringia.
The second mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the Yukon First Nation (Han) located in the Dawson area. Council chose to represent their relationship with the First Nation through the portrayal of a wolf and raven, symbols of the clan or family structure. Since I am not a FN artist, I will not use their symbology in my representation of the wolf and raven, but will carve something in my own style.
The third mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the new park formed just north of Dawson on the Dempster Highway, Tombstone Park. The formation of the park is a first in the Yukon and is an effort to begin to preserve for all time key bioregions in the Yukon. Kudos to the Yukon Government for concluding an historic and farsighted arrangement! Within the park, the Porqupine Caribou Herd has part of its wintering grounds, so I will try to carve a caribou in the foreground.
The fourth mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the midnight sun as viewed from the "Dome", a mountain viewpoint above Dawson City. The midnight sun is a remarkable phenomenon in the north. Many travel to the area around June 21 each year to witness the sun that does not set. It approaches the horizon then climbs again into the sky. The carving will include something of the vista from the Dome, looking north, and a time-lapsed view of the sun in its course.
The fifth and final mammoth ivory broach (above) will represent the raison d'etre of Dawson City. Gold! The carving will be of a gold pan from which will flow a river of gold. Inside the centre of the pan are the hills of Dawson, from which the gold bearing rivers flow. I may even add a few flecks of the yellow ore for interest!
(mammoth ivory tusk carving, mammoth ivory tusk sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Beginning) by Shane Wilson (carved moose antlers and skull)
December 05, 1999 Categories: Yukon Seasons
This commission will represent the four seasons of Yukon. The commissioner's request was that the commission be carved on a full moose skull with antlers.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 1) by Shane Wilson
June 01, 2000 Categories: Yukon Seasons
In the initial design, the migratory birds 'fly' down towards the nose of the skull on the other side. This will lead into the fall pattern of salmon spawning, up from the nose on this side and into the antler, to be caught by the grizzly.
The major seasons of summer and winter are therefore represented on the main portions of each antler, with the transition seasons of spring and fall forming the transition between the antlers and over the skull.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 2) by Shane Wilson
June 15, 2001 Categories: Yukon Seasons
This section of the sculpture has changed the most from the original plan. This is due in large part to the fact that the migratory bird motif entering from one side and the salmon swimming up on the other side, was not going to work. The scale was wrong and the strength of the base section of the antlers needed to be preserved, due to the fact that the finished sculpture will be mounted by those sections.
What I have done instead is to carry the themes of ice floes from the left, and water from the right, down onto and across the skull. A raven, representing all four seasons, is situated, flying along the top of the skull, between the antlers. The ice fog and snow motifs are set down the centre of the skull, in the 'air' along the path of the raven. On the right side of the skull, two curly patterns further represent spring as emerging plant life (fern: fiddle-heads).
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
What I have done instead is to carry the themes of ice floes from the left, and water from the right, down onto and across the skull. A raven, representing all four seasons, is situated, flying along the top of the skull, between the antlers. The ice fog and snow motifs are set down the centre of the skull, in the 'air' along the path of the raven. On the right side of the skull, two curly patterns further represent spring as emerging plant life (fern: fiddle-heads).
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 3) by Shane Wilson
July 25, 2001 Categories: Yukon Seasons
I have begun to rough out the shapes on the skull. You can see the raven, as well as the snowflakes, water and ice patterns beginning to emerge. I am a little uncertain about the trail behind the raven. It is meant to be an indication of the wake behind the bird as it flies through the ice fog, but it looks a little more like an extension of the tail at this point. I'll pursue the design a little further before deciding on whether or not to remove it.
What you can't see in this shot are the wonderful holes emerging in the design in the thin sections along the side of the skull. I am going to play with these a little more and show you the results next time I update this section of the sculpture.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
What you can't see in this shot are the wonderful holes emerging in the design in the thin sections along the side of the skull. I am going to play with these a little more and show you the results next time I update this section of the sculpture.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 4) by Shane Wilson
August 23, 2001 Categories: Yukon Seasons
I have focused on the raven this time. In order to get the wing and tail feather structure right it was necessary to observe ravens soaring in the wild.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 5) by Shane Wilson
December 11, 2001 Categories: Yukon Seasons
After considerable thought and examination of the structure of the skull, I decided to fashion the bridge of the nose into a screen, penetrating the ice-fog shapes through the bone, instead of displaying them in relief. I think the effect is quite striking, as it allows the negative space within the skull to emerge through the openings, giving the whole a feeling of lightness and depth.
In this phase, I have also cleaned up the back of the two antlers, which had remained rough until now, and also further cleaned up the interior of the skull, refining some of the inner lines and lines along the nose.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 6) by Shane Wilson
December 21, 2001 Categories: Yukon Seasons
The skull is almost complete, except for the snow flakes, final clean-up and sanding. On the right side the pattern has become a dall sheep horn in thin relief. The left side remains unchanged, a combination of ice breaking up and water flowing over from the other side. The raven has been completely roughed out and needs only to be sharpened and sanded. The contrail flowing out from behind the raven proved distracting, ruining the visual flow between the antlers, and so has been removed.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 7) by Shane Wilson
October 29, 2002 Categories: Yukon Seasons
In this phase I completed the snowflakes on the face of the skull (those on the rear remain to be done.) Note the patterns on the left snowflakes pick up design elements from the right of the sculpture and the left pick up elements of the right. This serves to balance the sculpture and provide unity.
The raven has been sharpened up considerably, as has the ice fog grill.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 8) by Shane Wilson
February 11, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons
I have decided to break up the lower part of the nose design and introduce an element of space that should add visual interest. I am not sure what the final form of this design will be, so I'll live with the current modifications for a while and see what comes to me.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 9) by Shane Wilson
May 12, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons
In this phase, I have designed and refined the stand for the carving. It has been created in such a way as to minimize its presence, obscuring the sculpture as little as possible. The stand is made from a large oak plank: cut, planed and routered. The uprights are drilled from below, then secured by lag bolts and glue.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 10) by Shane Wilson
May 28, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons
Prior to finishing with a dark oak stain/varnish, the uprights were tailored to fit the carving and the whole was sanded. The stain was applied in three coats, with a light, steel wool sanding before the second and third coats.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 11) by Shane Wilson
June 15, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons
In this phase the centre portion of the skull has been cleaned up and the pattern matched on both sides of the bridge of the nose.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 12) by Shane Wilson
June 18, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons
The snowflake behind the raven on the right side has been completed with a snowflake pattern. It was quite difficult to manoeuver the carving tools to accomplish this portion of the carving, due to the close proximity of the right antler base.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 13) by Shane Wilson
June 24, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons
The final two snowflakes are complete. The first one is a border with a hole penetrating the skull to allowing more light to pass through, lightening the overall appearance of the skulls solidity. The second snowflake contains the initials of the commissioner of this work - AB.
Note what appears to be a crack in the outer tail feather of the raven. It is part of the natural fissuring of the skull.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
Note what appears to be a crack in the outer tail feather of the raven. It is part of the natural fissuring of the skull.
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Moose Skull - Phase 14) by Shane Wilson
June 24, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons | Portfolio Images
In this view, you can see the entire skull with the antler bases visible and cleaned up.
LINKS: In Progress Slide Show - Skull
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Yukon Seasons' (Finshed) by Shane Wilson (carved moose antler and skull)
June 29, 2003 Categories: Yukon Seasons | Portfolio Images
LINKS: Work in Progress Slide Shows: Centre, Left Antler, Right Antler
(moose antler skull carving, moose antler skull sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Finished) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
May 01, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing | Portfolio Images
The final work on "Rest and Sing" was done with Dremel sanding disks and polishing felts. It was a time consuming process with such tiny tools. I've purchased a larger polishing wheel and felt for next time.
I will begin work soon on the next commission, an absract design on a found moose skull.
LINKS: In Progress Slide Show
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 7) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
April 24, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
I have finshed the ravens to the pre-sanding, pre-polished state using the same tools as described for the wolves in the last phase.
Now to the task of making the support for the work and the final sanding and finishing...
The commissioner of the work has suggested the name, "Rest and Sing", which I think is quite appropriate.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 6) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
April 22, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
I have chosen to treat the surface of the wolves with a stylized design. My intention is to create the effect of a deep winter coat of hair.
Again, my tool of choice is the SMC Moto Tool with a 1/8" straight bit, because of its flexibility. However, I also use a flexible shaft Dremel, with a sanding drum of medium grade, in order to do the preliminary smoothing and unifying of the surface. For refinements to the outlines of the wolves, I use the Foredom with a 1/4" straight bit.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 5) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
April 14, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
The ravens and wolves are shaped and contoured to their finished size. The details will be added now with the smaller bits and a micro-motor tool made by SCM. It's a wonderful little tool that allows great flexibility of movement, so important for the finer details.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 4) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
April 02, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
I am starting to use finer burrs now for the refining work. This is the part that takes all the time, but it is the most fun as the animals "come alive."
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 3) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
March 28, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
Things are starting to take shape!
The figures are becoming more and more defined and are beginning to take on a three dimensional quality. Now for the time consuming detailed shaping and defining work.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 2) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
March 24, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
The carving is coming along nicely. The basic planes and shapes are defined and the antler is "skinned". This is the process whereby the top, rough layer of antler is removed, revealing the open canvas and beautiful colour underneath. In this case, various shades of purple.
The next stage will involve rounding out the various shapes of the animals, trees and rocks.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Phase 1) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
March 13, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
This phase represents 5 hours of actual carving and several times that in planning.
I substituted the flying raven with a second raven perched on another branch. It seems to make the composition flow a little better.
I have also added a third wolf, lying down and also howling. I had planned for this wolf to be in front of the left edge, which will become a tree trunk, but I think this will make the composition a little choppy and so will change this to a design where all three wolves will be situated behind the left edge.
Tools thus far have included a drill to make the pilot holes for my Delta 16" Scroll Saw to do the interior cutting and a large, straight, single fluted burr on a Foredom H Series power tool to do the preliminary rough shaping.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Rest and Sing' (Beginning) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
March 01, 1997 Categories: Rest and Sing
This commission will have wolves and ravens as its subject matter. It will be carved into a full antler, retaining the look of the antler in the finished work.
After several preliminary sketches, involving some field work, I have created a design and selected an antler which is suited. The design included a combination of howling wolves and roosting ravens.
The lower portion of the antler extends out from the palm at a right angle, perfect for the creation of a free standing carving. I'll need to add a small piece of antler at the back for stability.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)