Our boy is a very driven young man.
He gets an idea into his head and then does all he can to make it come to fruition. He came into the workshop the other day with a very detailed little drawing he'd made on a scrap of paper. He wanted to carve that for his mother for Christmas. This was a Saturday morning in November.
He would then come in for the odd hour here and there. I could tell he was going to put some effort into this, so I got him a thin piece of sycamore from my stockpile and let him sketch the design.
He has a remarkable concentration for a child of his age, two hours is fine for him, normally his hands give out before his concentration.
He used some of the skills he's practised the last few years. using hsi own V tool to outline the tree and create texture on the bark. A gouge as a stamp to mark out the leaves which there are hundreds of.
He used my pyro pen to burn his name and age on it, not making a fuss when I made him practice on a bit of scrap wood first.
He wanted to apply the finish himself. I suggested a dark wax to pick up all the chisel marks. I showed him how to apply it and he set too it (wearing protection). When I told him it was a little thick he was disappointed but wanted to know how to fix it, he then spent an hour with a toothbrush getting all the wax out the deep areas to give it a good finish.
He is always fun to have in the workshop with me. Always makes me smile, never draws breath!
The picture the carving is based on.
As he handed it over Christmas morning he was glowing with pride when his mother said how much she liked it.
So was I.
It's lovely Kev and well done A, I'm sure your mum was absolutely thrilled and she'll treasure it forever. You're going to be a wonderful man just like your dad!
ReplyDeleteAh thank you!
DeleteWow, that is great. It would be great for someone a lot older.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he has this great mind where he can really see what he wants to build.
Deletewhat a talented lad .
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteNo idea whether it was intentional but that ghostly strip of blue on the right is the icing on a most excellent cake; a hint of the depth. My view - the carving is much better than the drawing. The drawing is a child's, naïve style, but the carving is class for any age (think Lowry for example)
ReplyDeleteThat's a bit of spalting of the scyamore. He wanted to make a frame but it's such a nice piece of wood I managed to talk him out of it.
DeleteExcellent work by such a clever, talented young man. His mum will no doubt treasure his gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteFollowing in his dad's trade, he is a clever young man.
ReplyDeleteHe loves making! He wants to be a blacksmith or a "maker" when he's older, combined with artist
Deletethere are simply no better gifts than ones like these.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome Kev. Taking something from concept to finished product is not something many adults can do well, let alone lads of his age.
ReplyDeleteTo Jaz's comment above, these are the very best gifts of all and will be treasured when others have been worn out or magically disappear.