Category Archives: Lettering

Exterior Sign in White Oak: Finished

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post about carving this exterior sign in white oak. Since then, I’ve painted the leaves and letters, built and installed the cap, and finished it with exterior oil. Here’s a few shots from … Continue reading

Posted in Lettering, paint, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

Bowl from a Plank: Part 2

Back to the “bowl from a plank” that I started in this post a couple weeks ago. After preparing the blank and laying out the hollow and rim, I began to hollow the bowl. Remember, this plank was completely dry. … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, finding wood, Lettering, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

For a Christmas Workbench

I couldn’t help it. As a kid, when I was handed a Christmas package that seemed likely to contain clothing or some other uninteresting stuff, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Packs of tube socks and underwear were politely acknowledged, then … Continue reading

Posted in Lettering, Uncategorized | 16 Comments

My New Old Arkansas Stone

A whetstone is no carving instrument, And yet it maketh sharp the carving tool; And if you see my efforts wrongly spent, Eschew that course and learn out of my school; For thus the wise may profit by the fool, … Continue reading

Posted in Lettering, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Q-R-S-Tree-U-V

I had wanted to carve an alphabet board for a long time, and I finally got around to it. The process began long before I took a knife to the basswood board above. I first put my thoughts onto paper … Continue reading

Posted in Lettering, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Lettering Inspiration From Long Ago

I’ve been designing some new lettering projects, for myself to carve, but also with the idea of offering some lettering patterns for sale. As I sat drawing, my mind went back to a trip to Cleveland last month and the … Continue reading

Posted in historical reference, Lettering, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Martin Wenham’s Letter Carving Book

When I first encountered Martin Wenham’s work several years ago, it expanded my awareness of the wonderful possibilities that letter carving offers. Martin’s pieces are testaments to his attentive sensitivity to wood and language. Many of his works can be … Continue reading

Posted in books, Lettering, Persons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Merging Shrink Pots

The five-year-old said he loves his dad’s hugs and fly fishing together, so I came up with this pair of merging shrink pots carved with a line from Norman Maclean’s novella A River Runs Through It. The larger pot is … Continue reading

Posted in Lettering, quotes and excerpts, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Esherick Exhibition

Over the last several years, I’ve enjoyed a deeper exploration into the work and life of Wharton Esherick. There is much to admire and contemplate. Esherick believed he had been overtrained as a painter and discovered his most creative expression … Continue reading

Posted in events, finding wood, green woodworking, Lettering, nature, publications, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

More Lettercarving Thoughts

I’ve written a lot of posts that at least touch on lettering over the years, 53 according to the category menu on the right side of my blog page. Here’s the list. Of course, I’ve continued to learn with each … Continue reading

Posted in books, Lettering, sharpening, spoons, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments