Robin Arnold Art

I haven't had a lot of time for my projects lately but I've managed to steal a few minutes here and there away from mowing grass, working for the meager paycheck, etc. My main focus now is Santa carvings for my Etsy store. While some of my items don't sell as well as previous years my Santas still do well. I even broke down and used some of my extra special pieces of Lake Erie cottonwood bark and I think the results turned out well. Santa with toy bag and Teddy bear Santa with Teddy bear was carved from piece of bark I picked up at East Harbor State Park several years ago, before the emerald ash borer invaded Ohio and you could still pick up wood and carry it out of the park.  I wanted to do something special with this piece but it sat on my bench for several weeks before the "light" went on. I used to carve off  most if not all of the rough areas but I now prefer to leave more of it intact for a more rustic look. https://www.etsy.com/listing/248060535/ca...

I took a break from mowing grass and putting up wood duck nest boxes to finally finish my "frog on a driftwood box". I made one of these for a custom order a few weeks ago and it turned out fairly well so I decided to make another for my Etsy store. The box is made from a piece of driftwood that I found along the shoreline of Lake Erie near where I live. Driftwood has become a hot commodity so anytime I can find a good looking, usable piece I consider myself lucky. The frog is carved from basswood and painted with acrylic paints. The inside of the box is drilled out with a large bit on a drill press,  and the lid swivels on a dowel. To see more details check froggy out at my Etsy store. https://www.etsy.com/listing/230687315/hand-carved-frog-on-driftwood-box-rustic

While Gena and I were drinking our morning coffee a phoebe flew up to the window, looked in, and then perched on a feeder post. Phoebes, one of the earliest spring migrants , are in the flycatcher family. We also have Willow Flycatchers that nest on our property and I have a feeling I've been getting the similar vocalizations of these two birds mixed up. I'm now starting to wonder if phoebes have also been nesting close by. Their nests have a mud foundation and anyone who has ever visited our property knows this is the "land of mud". We also have protected spots on our barn and a couple of smaller  buildings that would be a good location for a phoebe nest. We'll be keeping on eye out for nesting phoebes and keep you updated. Eastern Phoebe I'm not only watching birds but carving them. Below is a rustic cottonwood bark Bald Eagle I just finished.  I still have to paint it but so far I'm happy with this carving. I've done a few of these in the pas...

Like most of you, time flies by for me. I'm a part-time medical courier and every April in the same doctor's parking lot I look at the date on my route sheet and feel relieved I won't be driving in snow and ice for a few months. In November I'm sitting in the same parking lot and wondering where the time went and  how can I possibly do this job for another winter. Spring bird migration, sitting on the deck carving, mowing tons of grass,  swearing at the mosquitoes and deer flies; it's all over in a flash. What can make the time seem to go even faster? Designing and carving holiday items. It's tough to think about Halloween or Christmas  in February, June or August  but I've learned the hard way I need to work on Santa Clauses and pumpkins year round. An added twist is you never really know when they will sell. In 2013 I didn't sell one Halloween carving but in the summer of 2014 I sold three. A serious collector is always on the lookout for something new...

Bear on a Box This is my latest addition to my "critter on a box" series! The possibilities for these little boxes is only limited by my imagination  and unfortunately, my skill level. I have some neat ideas in my head but they will have to be placed on the back burner until I become a Master Carver. In the meantime I'm happy doing my cute folk art carvings. If they make someone smile I've done my job. The box is made from a piece of driftwood I picked up along the Lake Erie shoreline. There are a lot of neat things-- besides burning it in a campfire-- that you can do with driftwood so it's a  hot commodity in this area.  Anytime I can find a weathered  piece of wood that's usable I'm happy. This particular piece was perfect. It has a nice weathered look but it's not so far gone that it's falling apart. Inside of Box The hole in the box is drilled out with a forstner bit and the lid swivels on a dowel. For more details click on the fo...

Cottonwood Hand Carved Decorative Birdhouse Welcome to my new blog and first post.This whimsical birdhouse is my latest cottonwood bark carving. Cottonwood bark is a popular carving medium and I'm always looking for different ways to use it in my work. Although the best bark comes from the western states I have been able, so far,  to find usable bark in the area in which I live. This type of carving is called deep relief because the back of the piece is not carved. Back of birdhouse carving The bluebird is carved from a small piece of basswood and was glued into the birdhouse opening. The carving was finished with acrylic paints, two coats of satin varnish and one coat of wax. The carving can be purchased at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/219951825/relief-carving-decorative-birdhouse