Bird Dog

Bird Dog, 2003

James Mellick is working on a new series of combining hunting dogs and game. This sculpture was started while he was teaching Basic Wood Lamination and Carving at Ohio Northern University

This is the original drawing for "Bird Dog" but changes in the dog's posture have been made. In addition, two small drawers have been designed into the back of the dog as an experiment. The mouth has been opened, revealing teeth and tongue.

All the parts in this picture have been "dry" assembled to make sure everything fits and the feet sit level on the ground. Once all the blocked up parts are glued, screwed, shaped and carved, matching plugs will fill the screw holes. The head is finished first for ease in working the detail while the sculpture is disassembled. Then the head is wrapped for protection while carving and sanding the remainder.

Notice the opening in the upper back. This is the location for a sliding drawer. The drawer front is cut with a scroll saw from the same piece of wood. Also notice the bent leg that has not yet been rough carved. The body parts on this side screwed from behind so there are fewer holes.

Here is a detail of the front view of the "Bird Dog". Notice the detail of the tongue and teeth and the blocked up bent leg slightly turned. The down leg is slightly in for better balance of a three point stance. The tongue and mouth were carved as one piece and the teeth were set in afterward.

This back view of the sculpture better shows the laminated blocks that have yet to be carved and shaped.

The body blocks are glued, carved and roughly shaped. The drawer face on the back was shaped in place. The next step is to shape the legs to match the body

At 220 hours the sculpture is finish sanded and first layer of tung oil applied. Notice additional carving of the hair feathering and the walnut toenails. To be done yet are the final coats of urethane, copper eye insets and the duck to ride on top.

Compare to earlier stages.

The Bird Dog is finished with the birch "wood duck" on back. Metal details include inset copper eyes, heart area and the bronze feet of the duck.

The face of the Bird Dog showing copper eyes and front of wood duck

Back to Home Page

Back to Drawings Page

	All the parts in this picture have been "dry" assembled to make sure everything fits and the feet sit level on the ground. Once all the blocked up parts are glued, screwed, shaped and carved, matching plugs will fill the screw holes. The head is finished first for ease in working the detail while the sculpture is disassembled. Then the head is wrapped for protection while carving and sanding the remainder.
	Notice the opening in the upper back. This is the location for a sliding drawer. The drawer front is cut with a scroll saw from the same piece of wood. Also notice the bent leg that has not yet been rough carved. The body parts on this side screwed from behind so there are fewer holes.
	Here is a detail of the front view of the "Bird Dog". Notice the detail of the tongue and teeth and the blocked up bent leg slightly turned. The down leg is slightly in for better balance of a three point stance. The tongue and mouth were carved as one piece and the teeth were set in afterward.
	This back view of the sculpture better shows the laminated blocks that have yet to be carved and shaped.
	The body blocks are glued, carved and roughly shaped. The drawer face on the back was shaped in place. The next step is to shape the legs to match the body
	At 220 hours the sculpture is finish sanded and first layer of tung oil applied. Notice additional carving of the hair feathering and the walnut toenails. To be done yet are the final coats of urethane, copper eye insets and the duck to ride on top.
	Compare to earlier stages.
	The Bird Dog is finished with the birch "wood duck" on back. Metal details include inset copper eyes, heart area and the bronze feet of the duck.