BlownAway

Progress of Blown Away

"Blown Away" intends to achieve greater expression and gesture through an unusual positioning of the subject and exaggeration of certain parts. The drawing profile of the form or the spatial envelop of the sculpture is close to the shape of an egg. The body and legs have a central layer of cherry in the lamination for contrast. The tongue is cherry. The tail, head and blocks of the body are sycamore wood, some spaulded material is selectively used for effect. Note that the unwanted corner edges of the body blocks have been band sawed at 45 degrees. This is done after glue laminating so that the clamps have enough material to grab.

To facilitate the carving and finish sanding of the head which has unusual ear positions, the ears will be added and shaped later. I've not yet decided on the base. The body of the dog will be supported by a half inch brass rod that goes through the "spine" of the dog. Note the serpentine shape of the tail which add to the lineal gesture of the composition.

The head was a separate laminated block so that it could be turned slightly on the shoulders for greater gesture. The teeth and cherry tongue are fitted as separate pieces rather than "in the mouth" carving such as done on the previous sculpture "Bird Dog".

The legs are blocked and carved separately. I've emphasized the paws and the toes to add to the gesture. The cherry disc inserts on the elbows are for decoration only. Time involved as of 03/28/03 is 80 hours.

At this stage the ears have been added and shaped with the head, the copper eyes are set in and the bottom leg supports (discs) are attached. The body is finished sanded and given several coats of polyurethane. This is the final step prior to assembling the legs which have been finished separately.

Here the legs are attached and plugs of matching wood grain will plug the holes. Compare this view to the original drawing at the top of the page. Note that the paws and legs of the dog are emphasized and larger in proportion to add to the expression. This movement happens within a virtual egg-shaped space.

The dog measures 27" high, 23" wide and 11" deep. Several ideas are being considered for the final base. The base may be a turtle, a tall pylon or a grid.

I enjoy positive accidents they reinforce the content. In this case, once I started carving the paw I discovered two embedded lead bullets. The discoloration of the wood around the lead is usually a sign of metal in the wood but the planer did not show these.

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	"Blown Away" intends to achieve greater expression and gesture through an unusual positioning of the subject and exaggeration of certain parts. The drawing profile of the form or the spatial envelop of the sculpture is close to the shape of an egg. The body and legs have a central layer of cherry in the lamination for contrast. The tongue is cherry. The tail, head and blocks of the body are sycamore wood, some spaulded material is selectively used for effect. Note that the unwanted corner edges of the body blocks have been band sawed at 45 degrees. This is done after glue laminating so that the clamps have enough material to grab.
	To facilitate the carving and finish sanding of the head which has unusual ear positions, the ears will be added and shaped later. I've not yet decided on the base. The body of the dog will be supported by a half inch brass rod that goes through the "spine" of the dog. Note the serpentine shape of the tail which add to the lineal gesture of the composition.
	The head was a separate laminated block so that it could be turned slightly on the shoulders for greater gesture. The teeth and cherry tongue are fitted as separate pieces rather than "in the mouth" carving such as done on the previous sculpture "Bird Dog".
	The legs are blocked and carved separately. I've emphasized the paws and the toes to add to the gesture. The cherry disc inserts on the elbows are for decoration only. Time involved as of 03/28/03 is 80 hours.
	At this stage the ears have been added and shaped with the head, the copper eyes are set in and the bottom leg supports (discs) are attached. The body is finished sanded and given several coats of polyurethane. This is the final step prior to assembling the legs which have been finished separately.
	Here the legs are attached and plugs of matching wood grain will plug the holes. Compare this view to the original drawing at the top of the page. Note that the paws and legs of the dog are emphasized and larger in proportion to add to the expression. This movement happens within a virtual egg-shaped space.
	The dog measures 27" high, 23" wide and 11" deep. Several ideas are being considered for the final base. The base may be a turtle, a tall pylon or a grid.
	I enjoy positive accidents they reinforce the content. In this case, once I started carving the paw I discovered two embedded lead bullets. The discoloration of the wood around the lead is usually a sign of metal in the wood but the planer did not show these.