There's quite a bit of preparation in gathering pictures from my field observations. I sit down and draw a pattern until I'm happy with it.
I spend quite a bit of time looking at ducks. I gaze around and spend a lot of time there.
I gave it a try, but I didn't do very well. Most people don't on their first one. I carved a mallard; at least, it was supposed to be a mallard.
I never thought I had my own style before, until I carved that bird.
It's when you're going through the process of seeing the wood almost coming to life. Then, at the end of the process, with the eyes looking back at you, it's almost like it's coming alive.
She does have some aspirations to be an artist. She's participated in a duck painting contest and got a ribbon for it.
It has a clean and simple style to it; very simple. It has a nice, graceful shape. I was told it captured the personality of that duck.
They're a little heavier than balsa wood and there's very little grain, so it's easier to carve.
