A lady who I've done quite a lot of work for called me a week or so ago and asked if I could make a plaque for her as a Xmas present for her son and wife who live in TX and are coming here for the Holidays. "I'm not much of a plaque maker. There must be a lot of people around who would do a better job." I said. "I can't find anyone." she replied, and "You can do anything." How do you say no to a very sweet 83 year lady? I can't.
OK, I mulled it over while I was skiing last week and decided to try to do it as a bas relief. I didn't have any basswood but I had some willow that I had milled at least 10 years ago that was soft and even grained and decided to try using it. It was like butter. I'm not a carver by any means, and it was a bit of trial and error with the limited selection of carving tools I have, and even more limited skill, but I enjoyed the process and thought the end result came out pretty well. I took the unfinished piece up to show the lady and she liked it. I asked how she wanted me to finish the edges and what color she wanted and I got the classic "Oh do whatever you think looks best. I'm sure I'll like it." Should have guessed that.
I still have to spray a couple of clearcoats to finish it, but here is what it looks like after the shellac toner coats.
![[Image: R3dpAnb5MXjhpHvugjnL29H7wiWGJY-P57Axqcpp...13-h626-no]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R3dpAnb5MXjhpHvugjnL29H7wiWGJY-P57Axqcpp4-xNqMcur9QoQufFbC_OMgWRyKx8t6o0cWQ3IfIPElMQ_g3DhUM8BblkR6pqTJx-phbZ1riK3TZh5NLi1An7IFUNwunbigG12QupFGruUsKeBo_zw2pnAxABKFyNwJxSbxXadSTLPeEEobOrl1rsqqYjbA6srmY1MTmvKMyVXacu1u_8JIPFAoPTClG-Na45NYxcnbkD0LlknqyKU_OES7VsP-rCrigocivPcpZmtDc2oNsqEgyK-gTVKYjNXsAQ_K7RHuuo8H0z2DNS5JeGmotQT46m6gmo6yIZVqW5NhM1wjIRBITTSBMM0sb6uOtnzUuDVXhuq-czU2JfwYHD8z0_982Hb6xNle-IedYcKO3Zq7o6OXjB51gHHtB5VmHBOlUgim7TefygzxGWK5GdRLNm1FvPqK5FgonvRQEEJnCSYgH03POblXkWZXTDhwaVmviOK0HKacmBt7v6uzvXYjZuH58VeuL8CEbKEsAnSZxLyThd6yX-U8EncD0mvxwtB-3V4UiBsGs9m6hFcFcHClmP0QyG6JnbfIP3m6Pk3WidnCndEuM67nmvyrS_vjlnP7gOVVL7N8oJ2vQ6bGgSVhpwz-d8bsrqn-xVmOzLaHDhvu94HbyJ1sGAboVV-w89VaEhW77Ew-0_HSCyRyIGV6EsidyZ-PbqPGHt5I6xXWzKHa1HelQ77bPuz7RqnqFL-ZpzPXIDxQ=w1113-h626-no)
Nice diversion from my typical work.
John
OK, I mulled it over while I was skiing last week and decided to try to do it as a bas relief. I didn't have any basswood but I had some willow that I had milled at least 10 years ago that was soft and even grained and decided to try using it. It was like butter. I'm not a carver by any means, and it was a bit of trial and error with the limited selection of carving tools I have, and even more limited skill, but I enjoyed the process and thought the end result came out pretty well. I took the unfinished piece up to show the lady and she liked it. I asked how she wanted me to finish the edges and what color she wanted and I got the classic "Oh do whatever you think looks best. I'm sure I'll like it." Should have guessed that.
I still have to spray a couple of clearcoats to finish it, but here is what it looks like after the shellac toner coats.
Nice diversion from my typical work.
John
I built an altar for my church only after the priest reminded me I mentioned making one, even though I didn't remember that. But priests don't lie.