WILDLIFE IN WOOD- Original Woodcarvings by B. Benecke

Wildlife In Wood

AN OWL FROM START TO FINISH March 2008-Sept. 2008

Below you can see the transformation one of my original creations goes through from log to completed carving. This Great Gray Owl was started in March of 2008 from a massive Butternut log that I had obtained from a local logger. The log itself was a winter cut tree but still required curing/drying time before it could be worked on. It was eventually completed in early September of the same year. The customer had asked me to capture photos of each stage of his carving.

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Step 1 - A chainsaw is used to remove large sections of the log.

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Step 4 - Major feather groups are cut into the owl using a grinder.

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Step 7 - Feather details are defined. Base receives more detail.

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Step 10 - Final sanding. The owl receives 2 coats of tung oil.

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Step 13 - Final detail of oils complete the coloring process.

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Step 2 - The owl is roughly formed. The base starts taking shape.

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Step 5 - Eyes are set into owl. Shape of bird and base defined.

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Step 8 - The talons, beak and other fragile areas are detailed.

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Step 11 - Artist oils are applied in thin semi-transparent layers.

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Step 14 - A sealer is applied. Carving is signed. Ready to ship.

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Step 3 - The roughed-out owl has been set aside to dry. Notice no snow now.

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Step 6 - Large feathers are cut into the wings. Face detail defined.

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Step 9 - Carving continues until every area of owl is complete.

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Step 12 - Additional layers of oils are applied to intensify color.

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Wildlife in Wood
Carvings by B. Benecke

St. Germain, Wisconsin ~ 715-542-3627 ~ bwbenecke@yahoo.com

Wildlife in Wood
Carvings by B. Benecke

St. Germain, Wisconsin ~ 715-542-3627 ~ bwbenecke@yahoo.com