Fish Wood Carvings...

     I've always been fascinated with fish. I remember when I was just a boy; it seemed all I could think about was fishing! With a pole and line, bare handed, or even a tattered dip-net, I would try anything to bring a fish to the surface just to get a look at it! I don't quite know what the thrill was about fish and being able to handle the fish that brought me so much joy, but all I know is it was fantastic! I suppose it could have been just the mysterious underwater world that eluded me as a boy.

   My fish wood carvings are representative now of those experiences back then. I remember sitting for hours sketching each of my favorite species of fish. I catch myself, even to this day, becoming enamored with seeing fish under the water's surface! Each of my fish wood carvings tells a little " tale" of enjoyment as a kid.

     The Largemouth Bass seems to be one of my favorite species to carve. It is one of the perfect examples of streamlined stealth in the water. It always bears that typical " huge under-layer " jaw, and a look in its eyes that seems to say " throw me what you've got"! Fish wood carvings seems to be appreciated in many fields. One of which is the sports area.

It's always a great feeling, after I've carved a fish, to see the reaction of people, especially people who love to fish! It's as though they are connecting to a great outdoor experience themselves.

I always try to make my fish wood carvings with a sense of emotion. Meaning that I try to give each of them a thought while they are being created! The Crappie seems to be a highly desired wood carving. It is one of many beautiful pan- fish in this country. Mixed glittery silver and black inlayed color-tones surrounding it's frame, makes a beautiful carving!

 

 

I'm never bored at all with my Catfish wood carvings! These have to be by far, the most misunderstood fish in the fresh-water system. By that I mean, that they seem to have never been classified as " pretty" fish. I have to tell you that I think they are beautiful creatures! I have caught many catfish through the years, and I've always been taken by their tranquil look. They have taken the most humble title in the fresh-water regions as " trash or rough fish". I think my catfish woodcarvings might make you change some of the misconceptions that have been handed to you. I give these carvings a look that says " I've been labeled, but just look at how docile I am".

Even the Common Carp... is a very powerful swimmer! Its bold, thick body can cut through the water like a knife! They are considered a " rough fish" as well. Their magnificent orange-copper colors are just mystical out of the water. I'm just a softy when it comes to the fish! I admit it.I just can't get past such a beautiful creature, without really taking it all in. I remember diving in the White River in Northwest Arkansas, with a buddy of mine back in 1986. The water was like liquid glass! We spent hours looking at all the fresh-water fish.

It seemed the fish were not afraid of us. The small mouth bass, bluegill, creek chubs, sunperch, carp, pumpkinseed bream, largemouth bass, buffalo carp, and even a few trout seemed to be totally at ease with our presence there.

It was just these experiences that I didn't know then would aid my skills to make fish wood carvings today! I grew up on the Mississippi River... and it's waters were generally muddy and merky. I suppose this posed more of a mystery to me concerning fish! Not being able to see the fish until they were brought to the surface, was part of the big surprise!

I like to take a red-cedar log, of proportionate size, and visualize my next fish wood carving. I'll first decide the length, then the thickness, and lastly, the height. After these specifics are determined, I go to work ... and re -live one of those past experiences. I can actually see the fish in the log before I start. This is a big factor in the wood carving process!

After the fish has been established... I simply take away everything that will not be a part of the fish. I don't concentrate on one area at a time. I may work on the head for an hour or so and then move to the tail. If you stay in one area for to long... things can come out ill proportioned! By moving from place to place, you tend to see the fish in its entirety. This method works well for me.

One thing I've learned concerning the painting on the fish wood carvings... is that they need to be exaggerated to a certain degree because the acids (tannins) in the wood will take the paint color down somewhat. I can recall carving a Blue Catfish, and the paint was really a touch to blue! But after about six months or so it came down to a more natural color.

You learn so much about your wood species and how they react under certain conditions over the course of time. I try and make a point to learn something every day about wood carving! I remember carving a Spotted GarFish, and hearing folks tell me " why would you want to carve an old ugly gar-fish"? Well, I suppose I saw it differently, but I just think a gar-fish is another gorgeous fish!

But when it was completed... people took to the wood carving like they had never realized just how pretty these fish were! Needles to say... I felt humbled myself and yet as if I had sent a little message out that quietly said" you just haven't looked close enough at this magnificent fish until now".

There are so many fish species to cover ... there's no way to talk about them all. After all, a person's attention span is only so long!

I've had several flattering and humbling moments with my fish wood carvings. I recall carving a very large Flat-head Catfish. I really enjoyed this one, too. It was about 48" long and was mounted on a black walnut drift-root. One of our Fish & wildlife Officers saw the catfish and bought it for his office!

Now please understand that I do enjoy selling my fish wood carvings, but I still get more out of the people and their responses than I do the actual sale of the carving! To me ... it's you, the people that make my fish wood carvings worth while! I hope you'll enjoy seeing some of my fish wood carvings to come.

Fish Wood Carvings...