I knew I wanted to carve a Loon for the 2015 Christmas Ornament. The size was a challenge. Not too big and not too small. I saw exactly what I wanted in an antique shop for inspiration and almost bought it…and I was bitching wishing out loud one day at carving about the inspiration piece I should have bought for $20. Fellow carver Rich said “I think I have just what you need.” His Loon was metal of some kind and very heavy…but it was inspiration for free!
The prototype worked out just fine. Many blanks were cut out of yellow popple. (Yellow Aspen). A blank gives you a general shape. My arthritic fingers like to carve smaller objects. Far Guy is a great carver, he rough carved many for me to finish, so it was a together effort. Each Loon is a little different…I think it is more fun that way!
wood blanks
Carved and sanded and ready for Gesso
Gesso as a primer works so well for wood painting projects!
I tried to paint as I went, the most I painted in one day was 8 or 9…it is tedious work.
I was very glad the day this project was completed. Most of the carving was done outside on the patio and all of the sanding was done outdoors. The people at carving club were wondering if we were ever going to get done. I think I could carve one now without looking!
We have been making Christmas Ornaments for family members since 1990. The first few years I didn’t keep any for myself…I just gave them all away! Our thought was if nieces and nephews got an ornament with their name on it that when they left home and got married they would have some ornament to hang on their trees.
If you would like to be entered in the drawing for a Loon ornament go to this post Favorite Ornaments and a Give Away and leave me a comment and I will draw some names on Friday night (tonight!) at 9PM my time, and hopefully get the ornaments off in the mail on Monday.
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey are really beautiful, but since I don't have a tree I would feel bad if I won and didn't have any place for it. But trust me, I struggled with the desire to enter anyway. I remember when you started this project and am amazed that it's all done! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is my favorite bird, I love to take pictures of them every year when we go to the lake for the week in July. This year we were lucky to get pictures of their nest with an egg in it! You did a great job, very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!! The Loon is also my favorite bird.
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful! There is nothing like the haunting cry of the Loon over a mountain lake in the stillness of the evening.
ReplyDeleteWell done! Those who receive the carved ornaments surely look forward to your creations think of you when placing them on the tree every year. I bet some even leave them out all year.
ReplyDeleteMy sister and niece paint ornaments for their annual Cookie Exchange. They've done it for 25 years.
These are amazing Connie and such a great tradition. We have the odd one passing through in the spring but not enough water for them to stick around.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! You and Far Guy have a real talent (and with painting too!)
ReplyDeleteHoly crackers that is STUNNING! I can almost hear loon calls (my favorite pond sound)!
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing! I can't imagine being able to carve these birds and then painting them so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYour carved and painted loon is beautiful. Such talent on both your parts!
ReplyDeleteShirley H.
Oh, your little loons are lovely! Thank you for sharing some of the steps in the process of creating them. So cool!
ReplyDeleteThat appears to be a more difficult ornament to make than your usual ones. It is a wonderful loon. The painting is a lot tedious too. Good job. I always like free stuff especially a loon ornament.
ReplyDeleteGreat job. My hubby has a whole collection of ducks/birds from Ducks Unlimited, and they are all so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat is just beautiful, Connie!
ReplyDeleteLinda
An amazing job on the loon! I had better get over to that other post and enter, because you know, sometimes lightening does strike twice!:)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou 2 are truly artists. I am amazed at what you can make from a block of wood. The loon is the prettyest one yet...my favorite!
ReplyDeleteYou showed how the carving and painting combine to make a very attractive loon.
ReplyDeleteVery cute!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work ! I love hand carved animals like this . Truly wonderful artists you both are ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hand carved ornament!
ReplyDeleteCarol from middle TN
Oh how beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide if I'm more impressed with the carving or the painting. Both combine to make a very realistic and pretty loon. I love hearing them call across a lake when we've been camping. There's nothing to compare with it.
ReplyDeleteThe loon ornament is so pretty. How talented you both are.
ReplyDeleteThis link should take you to my new blog/email.....starting over at the first of the year. We're ok.
Hope you have a nice weekend.
Absolutely perfect!
ReplyDeleteI already entered, but can I enter eleventy billion more times???
ReplyDeleteBeautiful loons - well done! These are my favorite ornaments you've created. On a side note, that's how I found your blog many, many years ago, watching Larry's loons.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is beautiful...I so love it!
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