Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks very much for the kind words, Kenabr and I took some classes under Tom Loftin, at that time a local carver. Tom had carved working decoys under the Ward brother and several other old time carvers and was one of the fastest at carving and painting working decoys that I have seen. He was also great at full bodied decorative birds and unbelievable at carving leaves, feathers vines and any kind of background material. He used acrylic paints so that's what I started with, but he had also used oils in some of his work. He was a master of blending and washes using acrylics, but I don't really know if I will ever attempt to paint this one, as it would take a lot of practice and relearning to pull it off, and I'm sure some new tubes of paint! I agree that it is a great hobby and laughed and said that maybe when I became older and couldn't do other thing I might go back to it. My biggest problem was that I expected everything to be just about perfect, but didn't have that ability, but would take forever trying anyway! Take care and hope to hear from you sometime!

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

You made it Corky and with some excellent shots of your carvings, the birds are beautifully done.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Excellent work (& photography), Corky.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Many thanks for the thumbs up and the smiley face, Sylvia and most of all thanks for all your help!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks for the kind words and smiley faces Earl, and really glad you like!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

That is amazing Corky. You have a real talent for carving as well as photography!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

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Hi Angela, and I really enjoyed talking with you also, and hope that I didn't almost talk your ear off, and yes, Ellen is really wonderful, as she would have to be to put up with me all these years! You are so right--When the post came through requiring opening the messages, that was a bummer, as I had carefully tried to follow your instructions about loading the pictures first, and then they cane up exactly as shown in the first post, but I thought maybe when I select send, maybe UHH software would reduce their size automatically and post them---not so! But anyway I realize what had happen and hurriedly reviewed the procedure for converting to jpeg that I had used once upon a time, and using that, the images showed up, so tried to scroll down to click send but it would not appear! Gulp!--Tried again- send would still not appear--Gulp, Gulp! Finally I erased and reentered everything and you know the rest of the story! I still don't really understand, because when posting raw images before they went through on UHH--maybe because then I was using Lightroom. We had no snow, but our front stoop and the wooden deck and walkways were like a skating rink, and I almost went down! I know that you are looking forward to David returning and hope the weather does not interfere! Take care!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks , Carol, but it's been a very long time since I have carved.

merrytexan Loc: georgia

wow...it's a beautiful carving corky. i like it just the way it is...doesn't need painting.
i'm glad you shared it with us.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Holy Cow Corky these are amazing - pictures and carving. What talent. I had a friend who was a national level carver and his work also blew my mind.
-Doc

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great job Corky.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

What a great complement, especially coming from you, Doc, and I really appreciate it. We used to attend a number of carving shows and competitions such as the Ward Foundation's annual carving competition in Ocean City, Maryland. What beautiful work you would see from the masters of that period. I's sure most of them are still carving, but have not kept up with them in the last few years, but their work was almost unbelievable. The first year we attended the Ward competition a young fellow, Larry Barth, won the best of show in the professional division with a fantastic full size carving of a Snowy Owl. This was really something, because he was competing against some of the best carvers in the world. I had wondered from time to time if Larry was still carving, and as luck would have it, in the May/June edition of the Bird Watcher's Digest there was a article written by Julie Zickefoose, sharing some of Larry's thoughts about his very successful career--quite a read! Also, I found that he had just recently written a book titled "Birds, Art and Design" and his work had been featured in the Ward Foundation until August 21th, 2016. A real surprise! Thanks again and take care!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Many thanks, Earnest' and really appreciate you responding

angela k Loc: Long Island

LOL.... Corky, you went through a lot of gulping just to get this posted, but now you know just how to do it and like I said, it's really easy.... just take your time!!
The snow has all melted, thankfully I didn't need to get out the shovel by myself.... but you better be careful with that thin ice!!! Sprinkle something on your deck before stepping foot out!

Take care and enjoy the last Sunday before the Jolly Big Guy comes to town!!

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Excellent shots.......very talented wood carving.