Here's the BIG chip carving news I have for you today.

 

It's BIG because this sculpture is the BIGGEST chip carving I've ever done.

 

I've wanted to carve something really BIG for quite a while and when the local Mankato City Art Walk application was available for 2020 I jumped on the opportunity and submitted my idea/proposal for a chip carved sculpture.

 

I was thrilled when I was accepted. I started working on it in February and carved on and off for the rest of the month. The Wuhan virus delayed the original installation date so I relaxed and didn't work hard on it until April/May. Not the best decision 😜

 

This past week has been crazy! Finish painting, pick up the base, attach the EZboard to the frame, cut an acrylic cover, attach it, seal it...you get the idea I'm sure...but early this morning it was ready to load in my truck and head to Mankato for the 8:00 a.m. installation (Sat. June 13, 2020). 

 

I was honored and humbled to see my work being welded in place where it will be on display for the next year.

 

Seeing as we're talking about chip carving knives this month, I used 2 of my early knives for this entire carving. (I didn't want to risk breaking my Diamond Knife 😉) The really large chips required removing a smaller chip first before carving on the pattern line. And, I decreased the angle on some of the really BIG chips, probably around 45 degrees, so I could get the cuts to meet. 

 

Enjoy this short video (44 sec)