"Big Bay Mantel" was designed for our customer's new log home on their beautiful lakeside property in Wisconsin. They asked that their mantel reflect in detail the varied leaves from the trees on their property, show the depth of their expansive view of the water, and include some of the wildlife they catch glimpses of in the trees and in the sky over the lake. Hi John and Sally!

Design and carving photos are posted below.

 

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: WHOLE

A view across the face of the mantel.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: LEFT HALF

A closer view of the left half of the mantel.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: RIGHT HALF

A closer view of the right half of the mantel.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: LEFT SIDE

The left side is made up of many different types of leaves.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: CENTER

The center scene depicts the lake which is viewed from our customer's home.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: CENTER

A different angle of the lake scene.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: CENTER

Another view.

MANTEL DESIGN 01/28/08: RIGHT SIDE

The right side will be a mirror image of the leaves on the left side.

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: JERRY

Jerry, setting up for pictures of the carving progress.

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: WHOLE

These photos show the progress...

CARVING PROGRESS 03/38/08: WHOLE

...Jerry has made, having completed...

CARVING PROGRESS 03/38/08: RIGHT

...the "stop cuts" and started...

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: CENTER

...the roughing-out process.

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: CENTER RIGHT

A closer look

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: CENTER LEFT

This area shows the stop cuts.

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: CENTER RIGHT

A closer look.

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: LEFT

The leaves on both sides of the mantel have been roughed out.

CARVING PROGRESS 03/28/08: LEFT

They will include pin oak, chincapin oak, cork elm, wild cherry and maple.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: WHOLE

Detail is emerging across the face of the mantel.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: WHOLE

From the right.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: LEFT

The individual leaves are taking shape.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: CENTER

The deer and other elements in the center section are still in the rough stages.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: RIGHT

The edges of the leaves have been refined.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: LEFT

Another angle of the left end.

CARVING PROGRESS 04/14/08: DEER AND WOODS

Closeup.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: WHOLE

From the right.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: WHOLE

From the left.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: RIGHT

The leaves on the right are ready for burnishing.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: RIGHT

Another angle.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: CENTER RIGHT

More detail is emerging.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: CENTER RIGHT

A closer view.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: CENTER RIGHT

Looking toward the center of the mantel.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: LEFT

The leaves on the left are ready to be burnished.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: LEFT

Another angle.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: CENTER LEFT

The deer will be the last to be detailed. Oh Gar, it's your best one."

CARVING PROGRESS: CENTER LEFT

A closer view of the trees.

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: CENTER

The lake, with the eagle...

CARVING PROGRESS 05/01/08: CENTER

...and the canoe.