Thursday, February 11, 2010

Muskie


Sometimes I'll work one day a week at the Wood Carvers Store & School.
They've had the same phone # for over Fifty years!
One of the pluses is I get some of the work that comes through the door.
This is one of those jobs.
This person had caught a Muskie up in the Canadian boundry waters.
Once she had this big fish in the boat, it was measured & weighed.
A picture was snapped and the fish was returned to the water.
(No animals where hurt in the making of this blog)
This fish measured out at 48" long. Its weight was over 30 lbs.
The only thing bigger than this fish was the smile on her face!
This customer came in and asked to have a carving made of its
exact length.
This is the result.

12 comments:

Judy P. said...

So you do gilding, paint, and carve? You make me feel I'm not working enough at art. This fish is wonderful- is it lifesize? How long did this take?

billspaintingmn said...

Thanks Judy! This is exactly 48" as the customer requested. She picked it up today, and said she loved it!( :) )
Gilding is my job, it's what I do.
Painting is fun, I've even sold some.
Carving is a part of gilding,(sometimes) I also use a chainsaw on trees! I love to carve!
I have 16 hrs. into this Muskie.

TSL said...

Getout! You are crazy talented, I LOVE THIS!!!

billspaintingmn said...

Ha! Tina!
People say I'm crazy, but crazy talented!?
You are the first one :)

Celeste Bergin said...

HOLY MOLEY --allow me to join the chorus---who knew?? You are indeed "multi" talented. Now, if it were me--and I caught a fish "exactly" like this--I could never in a million years think up a better way to immortalize the experience. This is a totally genius concept..not to mention beautiful.

billspaintingmn said...

Ha! Holy Muskie! Thanks Celeste! I've always enjoyed carving, even as a kid.(I still am one)
I've started a carving in stone out in the garage. It gets a bit messy with the chips flying, but what a way to loose myself :)
maybe I'll post it, It's an eye with a tear.
(I was thinking of gilding the tear~)

Unknown said...

A special Happy Valentine's Day to you Bill! You have the gift of gab and creativity. Believe it or not, I want to get into wood carving too. I guess I just have to "carve" out some time to make it a priority. [ I hear you moaning from that awful pun] Your muskie does reignite that fire though.

billspaintingmn said...

Hi Sheila! You should hear some of the puns we
go through at the store!
It's all fun, as we "chip" away or "gouge" into
each other.(We never get board ;0)
Anyway.. Happy Valentines Day to you Sheila!
I hope I don't gab to much!

Anonymous said...

A man of many talents ~ why am I not surprised... ;)

What a terrific idea and delightful execution!

I never know what I'll find here at your blog, Bill. What fun~!

billspaintingmn said...

Thanks Cindy! That's really nice to hear, especially on a Monday!
Hmmm..my new challenge.. surprise Cindy!

Janice said...

Bill this is so wonderful!!! You are an artist that is talented in many different mediums! I would never even attempt something like this! I couldn't!! Bravo Bill!!!

billspaintingmn said...

Thanks Jan! I think the secret is to just do it.
You can often surprise yourself when you just do something for fun, with no expectations.
(unfotunatly I can't say that about my cooking!)