I  think  this log is Holly, but
I've been drying it for so 
long I can't read the label. 

This will eventually be in Gallery 2.
Please do come back to this page 
next month to see the finished piece. 

Previously on Whatsnew:

This cherry log came from the same tree  
as Lord of the Dance. 
Mother and Child is one of my favourite
subjects. 

Mother and Child   (see Gallery 2).

This is based on characters from a previous tableau. 
This wood is over 100 years old, from a Yorkshire 
village church that was being "updated".

Kneeling Mary   (see Gallery 3).

These cherry logs (from the same tree) became
Lord of the Dance   (see Gallery 3).
I wanted to create an uplifting image

This pine log became Elephantgirl  
 (see Gallery 2).

I haven't managed to set it on fire yet...

This cherry log became Sisters  
 (see Gallery 2).

The log had some rot running through it's centre.  
Cutting this away suggested a sketch on a theme 
which worked really well in a previous piece.

This pine log became All Shook Up  
 (see Gallery 2).

When I was asked for this piece I didn't think 
I would go through with it, but when I did the 
research the idea really took hold. 
It just had to be done...

This cedar log became Thomas  
 (see Gallery 3).

I did the sketches for this piece about a year
ago. The log had the perfect shape for what I 
had in mind.

This cedar log became Sitting  
 (see Gallery 2).

The log's shape suggested the basic pose. 
Then I added a swirl to the whole shape.

This huge fir log became The Nativity (2)  
 (see Gallery 3).

I'd been drying this log since May07, then 
someone took the covers off it, rolled it down
the hill and lit a BBQ on it. 
I left the charring as a feature, a testament 
to human nature....

This cedar log became The Family  
 (see Gallery 2).

I felt part of the family while carving this. 
That was a pretty good feeling. 

This pine log became The FlowerGirl  
 (see Gallery 2).

Needs a trailing, leafy plant to set it off. 

This block of pine became Saint Lawrence (1)  
 (see Gallery 3).

I googled him for background. 
Sheer Quentin Tarrantino.

This St Dom's pine log became Deep Water  
 (see Gallery 3).

How on earth do you convey water, 
nevermind deep water, in wood. 
I think this does it.

This Cedar log became It's Okay  
 (see Gallery 2).

Mothers shelter their kids, give them a 
safe place from which to view the world.

This Cedar log became MotherHug  
 (see Gallery 2).

Kids can be difficult sometimes, 
but you dont stop caring for them.

This pine log became Hush Now  
 (see Gallery 2).

Kids can be needy, 
but you wouldn't be without them.

This pine log eventually became Nativity Crib (1)  
 (see Gallery 3).

Yes, it IS a cat on the wall. 
The Wise Men didn't arrive until months after 
the birth, but barns have always had cats.  

This almond log became Sitting in the wind  
 (see Gallery 2).

Sometimes you come across such an odd-shaped
log that you have to play with ideas until 
you get something that will fit the wood.