Posted on January 10, 2012 [Permalink]

Continued from Mystique #18 - back in the saddle!

The last couple of days have seen plenty of progress on the keyblock carving of the Hokusai 'Fuji in the Window' image:

I have been much more careful with the sharpening than I have been in recent months/years (mostly due to the impetus from a very nice new knife blade I am testing for Sato-san), and it is showing ...

People living in Japan have all had the experience of walking down a quiet residential street and seeing a gardener at work in one of the trees in a nearby garden. He is usually sitting/standing up near the top of a large stepladder, and wielding a small clipper. One by one, he trims the needles from a large pine tree, until he gets the shape exactly right. All day long, clip ... clip ... clip ... And the pile of needles grows on the ground underneath him.

Today, I know a little bit what he feels like!

The thread continues in Mystique Series #18 : key done, and colours coming ...

Added by: Annie B on January 10, 2012

Just stunning. You are such an amazing carver.

Added by: Ken Morgan on January 16, 2012

Dave

The tool is only as good as the user! By far this will be one of your finest works. I will be showing this current work to a friend who thinks he knows great carvers/printers. I'll share his reaction when he too enjoys your quality work.