Are you like me? Do you look at clouds and see something in the formation? Does a cluster of leaves, way off in the distance, on a high tree branch resemble an animal/bird? The coffee shop specialties with design cream/froth; do they look like a fleur de lis to you? If so, I am not alone then!!
A few weeks back, when I was trekking Malaquite Beach at Padre Island National Seashore [federal park], I was nearing my 10K step total, and decided it was time to turn around to get back in the car and return home. As I watched for any other birds out along the shoreline, I too was looking at my feet at times to search for sea beans and/or shells. Whole shells; not the many broken ones seen all over the shifting sand. Then, of course, being a bit 'bird brained' I spotted a small piece of driftwood that the more I looked at it, the more I could 'see' resemblance of a hummingbird!!!

I put the piece of wood in the car's trunk and headed out of the parking lot from the visitor's center ...I finally get home, and took the piece of wood out of the trunk and placed it on Bud's work bench to dry out..
Now, this is something I have NEVER done before. Bud has many times and I have most all his pieces from his childhood days of whittling up to his last piece he did - - a coyote sun worshiper, that he carved and I painted and dressed in Native American garb...
When the wood I brought home was good and dry, I asked Bud for one of his carving knives, and slowly started whittling away - yes, I know!...I'm not supposed to carve toward me, but I did anyway!!! The only things missing were my spittoon, rocking chair, and covered porch...

Before I go any further, yes...there ARE tropical hummingbirds with CURVED bills...the Purple Throated Carib hummingbirds [and green throated also]
I started with the beak and made it thin and pointed....if it broke off then no loss - I could just toss it and not have wasted a whole lotta time on the body ...getting close to finishing it, I realized the wings were quite a bit out of proportion, so I went in search for more driftwood on Luby Beach this time...found a perfect piece...all that needed to be done was a bit of sanding. And then, I cut and added a 2nd thin piece for the 'other' less visible wing. While walking that same beach, on the other side of the channel, I found a piece I could use for the base...


...I mounted it on the base, varnished it and it's now titled "BEAN" as in Carib BEAN [sea...where they are found]

Luckily, I didn't BREAK anything as I carved....KNOCK WOOD!!!!
You did a wonderful job! Carving must be even harder than sketching. You made a thing of beauty out of your own mind onto the wood.
ReplyDeleteI think it went smoothly, only 'cause the driftwood was very soft wood! Thanks Ginny.
DeleteLooks like a hummingbird to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was hoping. lol
DeleteHow very beUtibful. You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathy!!
Deleteoh WOW, that is amazing. A one of a kind piece of artwork. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it Ann! Thanks.
DeleteHello Anni, I get the feeling this is won't be the first and only time you will whittle your way to a creative piece of artwork, after such good results.:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure 'bout that, it isn't easy as sketching is...in sketching, I can erase...with carving, any mistake is there... permanently.
DeleteThanks for the compliment.
One more thing you attempt that comes out perfect! I love it, Anni, and I suspect it's not the last one you'll create. You sure are talented. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks...not sure on carving anything else, tho.
Deletei love your husbands carving, so beautiful and i don't see things like you do in anything and before i read your post my answer was it is the artist in you. then after the post my answer is still it is the artist in you. i did not see this in what you found but there it is as plain as day. the carving is fantastic and i love it. just more proof you are a gifted artist.
ReplyDeleteWow Sandra, thank you!
DeleteHello, your did great. I love the driftwood and your carving. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen!
DeleteWOW! My mouth is hanging open. You did it! You REALLY did it! Marvelous. Great that you named it "Bean."
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this Ms.G
DeleteWOW! I see that others have used the same word, but no other one fits as well. Great job.You are one talented lady.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth...it means a lot to me!
Delete...a bit of nature's beauty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom.
DeleteLook at you, Anni! What a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie.
DeleteWow! That is impressive! I see things in clouds, patterns... all the time. But I'm pretty sure I couldn't carve them.
ReplyDeleteI bet you could Mari...thanks!
DeleteYour so creative. I'm impress with your 10 k steps.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Thanks on both accounts Dora.
DeleteHello, Anni! Your carving is pretty. If I tried that I would cut off my finger, lol. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU Eileen.
DeleteYou are one talented lady! I never would have thought about picking up a knife and whittling. Yep, you need a porch, rocking chair, and a spittoon. lol
ReplyDeletelol...guess you're the only one that recognized the spitoon+ signifigance.
DeleteThanks Betty
My grandpa was a whittler. He had a porch, a chair (not rocking) and the all necessary spittoon. :)
DeleteThat's exactly how I have wood carvers pictured from my youth!
DeleteWow! Awesome wood carving Annie ~ beautiful hummingbird ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thanks Carol.
DeleteAmazing carving.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda!
DeleteWow, you are very talented! Wonderful photos of birds and you make amazing carvings of them as well. Enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean.
DeleteBeautifully done.... art is a wonderful thing that brings so much enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteIt's wonderful, Anni! So amazing that you found it, saw its potential, and then created a little piece of art! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen
DeleteThe driftwood was an amazing find. You are very talented and this is a beautiful work of art!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl
DeleteSuch talent! Very nice! You are being very modest-- I know you simply cut away anything that did not look like a hummingbird!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ken!!! I appreciate you visiting and leaving such a wonderful compliment.
DeleteWonderful! I love Hummingbirds
ReplyDeleteYou found your hidden talent!
Thanks Lea
DeleteWow, I am impressed. Such a great job!!
ReplyDeleteYour compliment is appreciated Judy...thanks!!!
DeleteWow! That turned out beautiful. I'm always seeing critters and creatures in the forest! I never thought about trying to do something like this. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane!!
DeleteAnni, the hummingbird is beautiful. What a talented lady you are. Yes, I can see things in the clouds, trees and wood. I don't think I could do something like this though.
ReplyDeletewow that is a real piece of art! i am so impressed!! thanks for sharing on willy nilly! :)
ReplyDeleteThank YOU Tanya
Delete