Large 2009 chip carving

[Roger Strautman]

I hate to admit this but I've been a member here for almost a year and this will be my first thread. At any rate I'm for the most part a chip carver but can do other types of carving.



I try and make one large chip carving each year and this year was no exception. I call this Hidden Treasure.



My design concepts for chip carving tend to veer away from what is in common use and expressed today. I started with a 24” square wall plaque and added hinged leaves to the piece, framed with a contrasting wood. Not only did this increase its size from 24" to 36", but it also allowed its original geometrical shape to be changed from a square to a diamond alternatingly.



A circle has been cut in the middle of the closed leaves so the outside design would be incorporated as the center of the inside design.





This piece uses some of the most difficult cuts when chip carving, i.e., long straight double lines, very large chips, stippling, and side by side chips. A natural finish was chosen by applying several coats of lacquer sprayed on the entire piece.

[Dave McGeehan]

Roger, both the design and workmanship are truly incredible. The more I look at it as a whole and in detail the more impressed I am. Also, great idea using a natural finish so the wood stays light and highlights the shadows. What type of wood did you use? Any idea how many hours it took?

[Philip Allin]

Roger, I saw this chip carving as an entry in the Woodcraft/Pfeil contest - it is outstanding! I was even more impressed by the butternut "banners" you did for a church. Good luck on the contest - hope you win a trip to Brienz.

This is my current project - one I may enter in the contest if I finish it in time. It is based on a winged horse tesselation of M. C. Escher - 2-1/2" x 4" x 12" butternut. The design is incised around the lower part, but becomes more shaped and larger toward the top, ending with the two fully shaped horses at the top.

Horses 024.jpg

[Mark Yundt]

Roger,, Doesn't matter how many times I see these...they are just stunning! Excellent work. Such precision,clean cuts. Man, I could just go on.

[Roger Strautman]

Roger, both the design and workmanship are truly incredible. The more I look at it as a whole and in detail the more impressed I am. Also, great idea using a natural finish so the wood stays light and highlights the shadows. What type of wood did you use? Any idea how many hours it took?

I used basswood for the chip carved areas and walnut for the accent wood. I had around 400 hrs. from start of design to last coat of finish. Thanks for asking.

[Roger Strautman]

Roger,, Doesn't matter how many times I see these...they are just stunning! Excellent work. Such precision,clean cuts. Man, I could just go on.

Thanks Mark! I just started working on ideas and designs for this years piece.

[Joel Ficke]

Wow Roger. I love the design...everything...central medallion, opening 'leaves', gentle curves, subtle vines. Seems like the closer you get the more is revealed. Wonderful.

[John Schreiber]

That is far and away the most sophisticated chip carving I've ever seen. I'm lost in admiration.

[John Timberlake]

Great work. I've done a little chip carving, but nothing like this piece. Why only one per year?

[Steve Vaughan]

that is just stunning! Thanks for sharing!

[Chuck Nickerson]

Wow! When you start a thread, you REALLY start a thread.

I think I'll take my current carving project and hide it in the bottom of a dark, deep well.

[Tim Mahoney]

I bought my first chip carving knife and a few books to learn how to do this. I think I'd just rather buy yours. Beautiful. Do you sell these, give them a presents at xmas? That really is the best I've seen.

[Roger Strautman]

I bought my first chip carving knife and a few books to learn how to do this. I think I'd just rather buy yours. Beautiful. Do you sell these, give them a presents at xmas? That really is the best I've seen.

Tim, most of what I make is one-of-a-kind chip carving and I still own all my large pieces. It would take a special person to spend what their worth. I do make smaller pieces from patterns of designs I've used before.
Thanks for asking and don't give up now!

[Jim Paulson]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for posting this top notch work. I must admit that your design and carving are truly outstanding. You incorporated a number of features that I haven't tried yet so maybe I'll get the courage to work those into some of my future designs too. I like the use of threes in the design as well, very Trinitarian if I don't say being a preacher. I intentionally did that in a triptych carving that took 150 hours which is featured on my website under the gallery page.

I look forward to seeing more of your projects and it helps inspire me to finally carve the top of another tool chest I've had in the works for awhile. I think 2010 is the year I'll finish the top of my cabinetmakers tool chest.

Shalom,
Jim
http://www.chairsbypaulson.com