I had a fantastic view whilst working on this owl carving in Barmston, near Bridlington; open fields, trees and sheep wandering around the foreground. Unfortunately I picked the coldest week of the year to do it!
I’ve worked in all weathers, and I’m no stranger to wearing layer upon layer as I kneel on the snowy ground, chipping away….but the cold on the first day here was unbearable. I stuck it out til 2.30 and could take no more ~ my hands were frozen in one position, my fingers curled round in a grip and my thumbs stuck out as though rigor mortis was setting in; my whole body was shivering and shaking so much it hurt, as the wind whistled over the open views I’d admired earlier. Driving home I held first one hand then the other over the heaters all the way home during the hour long journey ~ over a week later as I’m writing this, my left thumb is still numb down to the first joint. Oh, how I suffer for my art! Anyhow……
This was as far as I got on the first day. Luckily Scotch Pine is very soft and quick to work with, so despite the cold and the time involved with taking the bark off and roughly sketching the position of the owl, I think it was a decent start.
The next day I took the precaution of thermals, gloves, lots and lots of layers and a woolly hat, and cracked on well. I got some shape into the wings and body, and did a bit more on the head. It was a bit of a departure for me as I like to put in plenty of detail, but Scotch Pine doesn’t allow for that ~ it easily rips and doesn’t cut well against the grain, so it was a case of bolder, less subtle shapes.
By the end of the second session I’d shaped both wings and established the head and body. There was still more shaping to do, but everything was well on the way.
I finished off with more work on the face and body before ending with the feet.
Finishing in good time I popped into the 12th Century All Saints Church in Barmston, and took a few snaps.
