Comments on Buxus sempervirens: More carving....

The LACMA does have a great collection, doesn't it...

2009-02-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

The LACMA does have a great collection, doesn't it? Bushell was one of the proponents of netsuke who triggered a resurgence of interest in the early 1960's and 1970's. I think the majority of their collection was his. Have a look at www.thecarvingpath.net/forum for advice on tools, if you don't know about that site already. It'll be a great help for you. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe files are mostly used for ivory work. It you plan on carving wood, knives, small gouges and scrapers will work best. I use small riffler files mostly for shaping inlay pieces. Email me privately at dhs1us@yahoo.com - I'm happy to share knowledge when I can.

You are so lucky to have a museum that can help in...

2009-02-25T12:40:00.000-05:00

You are so lucky to have a museum that can help inform your work. I spend most of my time when travelling looking and photographing almost everything I see in a museum. My wonderful husband patiently watched me prowl the National Museum in Athens for 7 hours. No book shows the complete 360 view of a sculpture...so helpful to those of us who want to learn.
Have you seen the netsukes (on-line) in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)? I think the Busnell collection might have started their collection or generously rounded it out.
I wish I had a local file maker I could trust to fabricate the beginning of my tools. Ryushi is fortunate.
Thank you for your willingness to send information.

There are a few miniature bronzes of satyrs (from ...

2009-02-25T08:50:00.000-05:00

There are a few miniature bronzes of satyrs (from antiquity) at my local art museum which helped inspire this piece, in spirit at least. Thanks for the comments about the composition- it's what I was shooting for. When I get the final pictures up, I'll post measurements and a good description but without it in front of me, I'm guessing 1.75 inches or just over two fingers' width. Those are great pictures of Ryushi's tools aren't they?

Thank you for your response. Actually my dog may l...

2009-02-24T22:58:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your response. Actually my dog may look sinister but he is really a big baby. Akita/German Shepherd with (maybe) some wolf.
Love the twist and movement of your carving. I am wanting to begin carving small (afer having done some small-ish bronzes via lost wax). The information you shared in your link with Koryuen regarding Ryushi's tools was invaluable.
Would you mind posting the size of your satyr carving?
Thankyou in advance.