"Dragon's Blood"

 

This fierce dragon measures 20 inches in length and 14 inches tall.  I carved this Red Dragon from the roots of a Red Alder tree. The wood was well worn by Nature when I found it on the beach here on the Oregon Coast.  I've colored the majority of his face using a red stain allowing the natural wood to show through.  I used oil paints to define his eyes, teeth and the little 'pointy things' on his head. Everything was carved into a single piece of driftwood.

Completed  4/13/14

"Winter Beachcombing"

The long hikes across the beaches, climbing over the massive piles of driftwood and often through the wind and rain, brings rewards that make it all worthwhile. When I find that perfect piece of driftwood my passion for carving becomes renewed every time!

The winter of 2012 was one of the best years for driftwood in over 20 years on the Pacific Northwest coast (specifically here in Brookings, Oregon). My storage sheds are overflowing with outrageously beautiful and unusual looking driftwood.  The previous winter I picked up around two dozen pieces of driftwood altogether!  Never knowing when the ocean will cough up its bounty can make life challenging when your livelihood depends on it.  Much of the driftwood on the beaches this winter (2013) is the same wood from last year, just rearranged by the surf and tides.

 

 

"Patiently Waiting"

This overgrown lizard measures 12 inches tall and 21 inches across his widest point.He's carved from a single piece of driftwood.The face is carved into the trunk of this little Red Alder tree with the roots flowing behind. I've added color to, just his face and teeth using oil paints and stain. Everything else is au naturale!

Completed: 11/27/11

"Dragon Time"

Another fun carving! This was a nice solid piece of wood that allowed me to easily create the details of this Dragon's face. His teeth were modeled after an alligator, his eyes from a snake and his skin from a lizard. The rest is pure imagination. Everything has been carved into a single piece of Oregon driftwood. I used oil paints to add color to his face and his eye.

"The Watchful"

This Golden Eagle was carved from a single piece of old-growth Redwood. I colored the face, beak and eyes using oil paints. I also painted the golden feathers on it's head and back for which this raptor is named. This piece measures 21-inches tall and 7-inches wide. I actually started this eagle about 4 years ago but, as I often do, I set it aside to work on other projects. At this point I'd only roughed-out the basic shape. In March of 2011, I decided to finish him up. A nice break from carving the usual wood spirits and it's always fun to get back into the oil paints!

"Depths of Darkness"

This was one of the most fun carvings I've created recently. I enjoy creating art from the dark side as the depths of darkness seem to be unlimited!