Post #290752 by Howland on Fri, Mar 9, 2007 1:09 PM

Wow--I can't beleive it's been over 2 MONTHS since I've been on this project! FIRST and foremost-my apologies to all the good peeps who took the time to dish out kind words of encouragement, inspiration, etc. I was planning on responding with an update soon after but I got waaay side-tracked so I was unable to work on this project for a good while so I never got back to responding to the onlooking Ohana. Sorry guys--I wont let it happen again, I promise.

FOAMY--thanx my friend. I too like the wall hangings and such--stuff that's just on the outside of the box of 'tiki', ie., not a statue, pendant, mug, etc.--kind of obscure, I guess.

PAPPY- "Beautiful"--wowzy, that's a strong word--hope the finished product lives up to the word.

PAIPO-

I'm working on a variant of this design too
. In greenstone, perhaps. That would be the most! I can't wait to see it--you are gonna show us, aren't you? Thanks for the links--very helpful in that it pretty much said, in so many words, that no ornamentation for these things was written in stone. Just a 'go with the flo' kind of artistic freedom, albeit within the realm of that particular ethnicity. I spent alot of time on the Polynesian Voyaging Society website--good reads-THANKS!

LAKE SURFER- I beleive my inspiration photo is an OA design--not real sure and I don't remember where I found the pic. You're a prolific carver, I beleive you could bust one of these out in no time at all. Thanks for the comps!

BENZART-Thank you as well for the kind words. Always encouraging to hear from you and It may look like I'm on the right track now, but I've been known to throw a wheel in the ditch reeeal quick! (fingers cramping from keeping them crossed for 2 months now)

GMAN-Thanks! It has been a ton of work. Especially trying to duplicate the 5 lil' marqs in an identical fashion. Gave up on that idea. they will differ some--gives'em character, individuality. Yes, i plan on cutting the block part at bottom off and pegging them into the boat with dowels, maybe even un-glued so I can take them out if necessary--in case someone else want to be the captain/cheif. Maybe JohnnyP can bring his log south with him and we can all scoop it out and go for a ride.

AARON- Ambitious--indeed! Me doin' it justice---to be determined. That pic you got from C'Al is what I'm shooting for. I love that heavily ornamented/highly detailed look although I may have to tone it down a bit to match my experience level. Thanks!!

JOHNNYP- Thanks, bro. Always good to hear from the elite carvers. These figures will be attached sooner or later--hopefully sooner. I think I heard a rumour that you were heading south--is it true?

TIKIGAP- thank you sir for your kind words. The whole thing is very close to 36" long-not sure how tall it will be, won't know till I cut their little feetses off and mount them to the boat. It is made out of poplar. I just got some poplar 'hobby boards' from Slowe's and glued them up. 2 -3/4 x 6 x 36" to make a 1.5" x 6 x 36 slab. Same for the mini marqs, glued-up mini slabs.

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Here's where I'm at with this thing now that I've had a couple of days to get back on it:

my intentions:

my intentions with indentions:

one of the mini-marqs, with some ornamentation sketching based on the Marquesan panel that you can barely see on my monitor in the background. This actually changed some during carving:

a lit'mo progress:

No idea what's going on here:

A little closer here so you can see my 'cuss marks' --the places where my chisel overshot intended carving area and made me cuss!

Still got a few days open for tiki stuff so I hope to have an update within the next 2 months--just kidding :) Going to be sanding a lot tonight and weather providing, I may do some finish work this weekend as well.

I'd like to leave you onlookers with a question: In my inspiration pic (at beginning of this project posting) Do you think the little guys are holding spears (or some other form of weaponry) or paddles? I'm inclined to think they are paddles but if this is a war canoe of sorts, it could be the former.

Thanks for looking and I'll be back soon!!!!