Pounamu update

This is my second day working on this piece of Pounamu(greenstone, NZ Jade). I have enjoyed todays progress. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
                                                           Size:  6 cm W x 9.5 cm H

Torso

I bought this mannequin torso a few years ago for displaying my T-shirt designs and Jewelry but the other day decided to transform it into it's own piece of art. Covered in Maori design to fit my other works I've been working on to form a collection of artwork I'm left wondering whether I need to add to the design. I'm going to leave it for a while and see what I come up with. I do have an idea of what to do but am unsure at present.

Koi feeding

This is my recent painting titled 'Koi feeding. It is 30In x 30in in size on a stretched canvas. I still need to apply a fixative to it and am waiting for a warm day to help the drying process.

Untitled work

I began this piece of artwork as a sketch/doodle not sure what or where I was going. Colour choice was black and white and red which are the 3 main colours used in Maori Kowhaiwhai (pattern). This drawing is 22 inches W x 32 inches H. Drawn with  pastel, ink and pencil.
The photo looks a bit cloudy due to the light shining into my room.

Two carvings

These are my latest jewelry pieces. The pendant is from wood, I'm unsure what type but will hazard a guess and say limewood based on that it smelled like limes when I was working on it.  The pendant on the top right is the feminine side with it's soft curves and the pendant bottom left is the masculine side with it's crisp lines which means it is suited for both sexes.

The other is beef bone and the back side is greenstone. I will include a photo of the back at a later date. The etching of the Kowhai flower is called scrimshaw.

 I plait my own cord which is black waxed nylon cord

Pounamu (Greenstone)

This is the beginning of what I consider as my first greenstone carving. I say this because I've only ever added pieces of Greenstone to other carvings.  Greenstone (Pounamu) is found in the South Island of New Zealand. 
I intend to exclude part of the design before you as it looks too busy. I'm not all that good at knowing the different types of Greenstone there are so unfortunately am unsure what type this piece is. Maybe 'Kahurangi'. The approx size is 9cm H x 5.5cm W x 1cm D
  

I've also been working on the deer antler carving. The top of the granite base has some scratches so I need to find time to work on that. I'm working on the two pieces made of deer antler that will support the carving on it's base. After that it's a short step to completing the carving.
It's hard to see anything here  as the shine affects the photo and forgive all the rubbish around it but it gives you the general idea of the base.

Free Designs

Here are a few samples of some designs for jewelry. They can also be used for carvings in both stone and wood and even metal jewelry. You can see the full 99 images at darrengartist.wordpress.com
Please share some of your work taken from my designs just so I can see how others interpret them.

Granite base

Today I spent most of my time working on a base for one of my carvings. I made the decision to use slab of Granite. I cut it to size and polished it up. To my surprise it worked. Yay me! I've drilled two holes to place some supports to hold the carving on the base but still leaving it so you can pick up the carving to view the detail that works it's way all the way around. I'm away from Wednesday and  when I return home on Friday I will get back into completing the base and carving. Unfortunately no photo's to show today.

Sleeve tatt design

I've spent the last two days working on a sleeve tatt for a guy. Although I like it it's not up to me. I don't have to wear it. I am hoping that their are only a few changes necessary. 
I'm not sure if you can see it all that clear on here but I have had fun. It's not something I normally do and I still have to add colour if he is happy with the design. 

Mums Tattoo

I thought I would post a photo of my Mums, who's 68, tattoo that I designed. It's still healing. She got it done this Tuesday Mum was told by the tattooist that it was a really good design. Nicely balanced. Funny thing is I was asked to design a sleeve for a friends nephew. I'm working on that starting from tomorrow.

Elephant carving update

As you can see, the head is still oversized and I'm being careful to not lose the playful baby elephant look making it a bit nerve racking to take off too much at once.  All'n All coming together quite well. I'm sure my friend will appreciate it once completed.

Elephant carving

Today I spent it shaping the elephant more. I've placed some more plugs into holes and will cut and sand them back tomorrow. I can still see things that need changing but am being careful not to loose the sense of a playful baby elephant. I also need to make a foot for the front leg in the 1st image and toes on the back leg in the same image 
Feedback would be greatly appreciated

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