JAGUAR - Catching Some Rays

[Dick Miraglia]

This project was cut with a scroll saw on a perfect piece of black walnut given to me by a special friend. The jaguar was then relief carved to enhance its appearaance. Coloration was accomplished with very finely ground metallic gold powder. Just wanted to show how much a little carving can enhance scrollwork.

[Whittling]

Its a beautiful piece Dick but I'm not clear on what roll the scroll saw played. Are you saying that the slab of walnut was cut with a scroll saw and then relief carved? If so why a scroll saw and not say.. a band saw?

Or do you mean that all the 'black' on the lepoard is actually scroll saw cut out?

[efmaron]

Beautiful piece Dick,I too would like to hear more about the process.

[Dick Miraglia]

Thank you for the very nice comments. All of the "black frets" (the jaguar's spots) and facial features are cut out on the scroll saw first. A black backer board is attached to the back of the project after the carving and coloring are completed. This technique is called carved fretwork. You can check out my website for more examples, some pieces showing a lot more carving.

[Whittling]

Would things like celtic love spoons with complex designs that have cut out sections in them be included in this category or does the finished work have to be backed?

[Dick Miraglia]

I think the celtic love spoons with the intricate designs would more appropriately fit in an older traditional style of carving called "pierced carvings". We still see examples of this on chairs and especially mirrors. Of course, fretwork is a traditional style usually done on a scroll saw but can also be done with a hand fretsaw. Because the finished piece of a celtic love spoon is similar, of course, it can be called carved fretwork.

[Nancy Goff]

Wow!! Dick - that's great. And I enjoyed reading what you wrote too. Please keep things coming.

[Claude]

Beautiful work!

Claude

[Dick Miraglia]

Good Morning, Nancy and Claude: Appreciate your interest in my work and your kind comments. If you have a chance, check out my new website that has just been published. You will be able to see a variety of other wildlife projects that you would not have seen before. Thanks again. Dick