Motorcycle Portraits

This is a picture of the first motorcycle portrait on wood that I ever did!  My fellow worker, a nurse, wanted to surprise her hubby and asked if I could do it.  She had seen some of my hubby's and my other cut outs and artwork and she had confidence that I could do this.  I tackled it and this was the result using a very good colored photograph as my model.  Hubby cut out the shape in pine, cutting the left leg out separately so that we could make it a ledge hanger.  It sets flat on a mantel or shelf and the leg hangs over.  This makes it very dimensional! My friend was thrilled with the result and so was her hubby.  Since that time, I have done about a half dozen more as I did not advertise but through word of mouth was able to get more commissioned work.  I am really proud of this particular craft as I knew nothing about motor cycles but put all the details on it and it sure looked like her husband and his bike!  And with sun glasses, it was easier to do the face.   Enjoy!

GIRAFFES AND GOURDS

The giraffes are coming along nicely, Hubby has made 3 pair now that complete our first set that I get to keep!  He will now start making them to sell alone or as a set on this blog or in our Etsy shop.  Although they are small, they are very time consuming and delicate to work on.  But I will certainly let you know when we have some for Sale per your requests!
               The third pair are kissing...

These are gourds that I raised myself a couple of years ago.  I painted freehand on them and felt they came out very nicely.  I did not grow any this year and I do not think they would have done well as the summer was very dry.  My cucumber vine kept blossoming and then the little cucumbers would wither and die before maturing--Except for that one 18" cucumber Giant we had-LOL!

Here is one that Bill painted of fish, rocks and seaweed on a light blue background.

Leaves and pumpkins

Pumpkins and goose

These I painted with a 2 color loaded brush of red and black and then painted my deer, trees and Kokopeli in black with white highlights.  Last, Bill varnished them for me.  I loved the way these came out.

Since I have not been growing these myself I am going to check out a site I found, http://www.amishgourds.com/  and see how their prices are.  I really enjoy painting on them so much.  Imaginatively, I could paint pumpkins, flowers and a host of other things on them.  I would like to try a giraffe on a long necked one.  If the bottom of the gourd is not flat and will not stand by itself, I use large pearls or beads on a common pin with a colored head and push directly into the gourd on the bottom in at least 3 places.  They stand very nicely doing this.
     One last idea if you crochet or macrame!
I had hubby cut off the top of this gourd, punched holes near the rim all around.  Then I crocheted through the holes to make a mesh basket or web like effect and added Swan feathers.  I painted the inside with a watery blue color and then painted Kokopeli so you can see him through the crochet thread.  I was really pleased with the whole effect.

       




 I hope I have inspired you to paint on gourds!  Thanks for looking and come back again soon!

For a great hearty fall recipe for Chicken Stew, go to my TWO HAPPY blog for today at http://beaver-kerrie.blogspot.com/   Thanks for stopping by and do come again soon!
                                     ♥KERRIE♥
                                    My heart to yours...

FINISHED RAM PLAQUE

Finished Scrollsaw Ram's head

I love the way Bill's ram's head turned out!  It is really beautiful.  This plaque measures 9"h X 9 3/4"w. It has a sawtooth hanger on the back.  This one will be on Etsy or buy it here.  Free shipping $18.00

Thanks for visiting and come again soon.

SCROLLSAWING THE RAM

MY HUBBY is working on a beautiful scroll saw Ram's head. The pattern is amazing and he has cut it out, sanded each piece, put the pieces together, stained the different shades of the wood and has now mounted it on a backing.  It is a large piece and will be very beautiful!  I will also post the finished piece ASAP! I can't wait to see it. 
Gentle rain is falling this first day of the New Year but it is a lovely day regardless.  Please visit my other sites linked in the sidebar for fun posts to begin the new year.  Thanks for stopping and come again soon.