Jim Kelso Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 This tray carved in a dense wood is an homage to the extremely distressed Little Brown Bat population in Vermont and New England who are suffering from "White-nose syndrome". The best guess is that they will become extinct in this area in 15-20 years. Our bug population was much increased this summer and I'm fairly certain that's connected to decreased bat numbers. I saw a bat catch a moth this summer with the backlight from the sunset off our porch. The carving style is called shishiai-bori in Japan and all the carving is done below the polished surface. The moth is cut in katakiri-bori (Line engraving) style. The longest measurement is 100mm (about 4") and the deepest depth is a skosh more than 1mm. 2 inlayed teeth in bone and the eye is turned horn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie K Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Jim: Beautiful work. I really like the look of the smooth contrasted with the bat. I've always loved bats. When I was a kid, at twilight in suburban Houston at the edge of the city, they would fly down the street right at me, and at the last second veer away, just whispering past my face. It seemed as if they were playing a game, as they'd come back and do it again and again. I haven't seen a bat around here in at least 30 years, I don't know what happened to them. What's white-nose syndrome and why is it fatal? Debbie K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks very much Debbie. WNS is a fungus that seems mostly to be in New England and down the Appalachians in the last few years. It infects the bats during winter hibernation and wakes them so greatly weakens them. WHITE NOSE Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt K Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Such a nice idea, and wonderful execution. With the danger of sounding like a simpelton, but....... how do you achieve such an incredible texture that seems to portray order in chaos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thank you Jim, This is a sublime, visual story. I, too, am concerned for the bat populations here, since there is the potential for the disease to spread. Will and I were just wondering this weekend what you have been doing. Thank you for the update and photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
He Li Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 great work Jim! I love the black blank background design. Very oriental feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks very much Kurt, Janel and He Li. Kurt, the wing texture was achieved by first carving the contoured surfaces with a very shallow sweep gouge, to shape the surface and begin the texturing. This surface was gone over all again with a somewhat more curved sweep gouge to create the final texture. I'll add some more photos soon. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt K Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks very much Kurt, Janel and He Li. Kurt, the wing texture was achieved by first carving the contoured surfaces with a very shallow sweep gouge, to shape the surface and begin the texturing. This surface was gone over all again with a somewhat more curved sweep gouge to create the final texture. I'll add some more photos soon. Jim Thank you Jim. Yes I see the curvatures and indentations, its just because, it looks so nice in your work. I tried something similar recently in stone, and the pattern simply did not come out even close to the elegance shown in your work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Palmer Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 This tray carved in a dense wood is an homage to the extremely distressed Little Brown Bat population in Vermont and New England who are suffering from "White-nose syndrome". The best guess is that they will become extinct in this area in 15-20 years. Our bug population was much increased this summer and I'm fairly certain that's connected to decreased bat numbers. I saw a bat catch a moth this summer with the backlight from the sunset off our porch. The carving style is called shishiai-bori in Japan and all the carving is done below the polished surface. The moth is cut in katakiri-bori (Line engraving) style. The longest measurement is 100mm (about 4") and the deepest depth is a skosh more than 1mm. 2 inlayed teeth in bone and the eye is turned horn. Like everything you make no matter the material, excellent in both content & execution. Nature couldn't ask for a better spokesperson. Thank you for sharing & inspiring. Robert P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Strom Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Jim the work is really elegant and delicate, a great representation of the delicate nature of the bat. As usual superb work. I have been teaching carving classes and the beginning relief carving class is this style of carving. The designs can be carved with just three tools. Now I have a name for the style of work...I got the idea from carvings done on tombstones. Thank you for that information as well. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnus homestead Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Hello Jim, I am sorry to hear of the demise of the bat population in your area (just one of so many obvious signs.) Your work here on this little tray is stunning - all your works are inspiring - this has to be one of my most favorite of all! Thank you so much. Blessings, Magnus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted October 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Thanks very much guys. I appreciate all your comments a lot . Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornel Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Dear Jim, I very like this clear composition with the fine carved bat and the empty space. The dark night space is the best contrast to this small lonely hunter. The few line carved moth is also very interesting. A really masterpiece !!! Cornel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Thanks very much Cornel. I've very much enjoyed seeing your brilliant pieces Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Hi Jim! Thank You very much for your finest work! As always everything was done so ideally and perfect! I love your works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Barnhill Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Beautiful piece Jim. I really like the clean design, simple yet very effective to show the leathery texture of the bat wing. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.