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Show 8 FOCUS .. - V V ' - 'Va.'' ' '; ' v 29 , 1982 September . WmB?)Jf - !. y It all started just to cut the cost of buying decoys to hunt duck with. Birds, elegantly carved- with the hands of a master craftsman. Kenneth Lind of Midway, is a retired Air Force Chemist, who' was transferred to the Dugway testing center, but then retired and moved to Midway, where he now resides. It all started out as a hobby, something to pass the time, but a way to cut the ' - cost of buying expensive decoys. Using hand tools to do most of the work, he skillfully uses the carving knives to etch details into the wings, tails and beaks of the decoys. They are a popular item, explained Ken, Many people have them in their dens, living rooms as show pieces. Ken relates the following story, I took some pieces over to display them at the Swiss days art show, and somebody bought one. Now, I have them in Provo and Salt Lake, and the orders keep coming in.' The carvings are made from local woods. Furs, spruces, and an occasional cedar. These woods he easily from wood permits . aquires he obtains on the national forests. Furs and spruces are the softer woods, and are easier to work with. When working with cedar and redwood, it requires a constant sharp tool. The redwood dulls carving knives and chisels fast. You have to file them all after you finish the project. remarked Ken. .While preparing for a . -- . I . , . carving, Ken commented that he likes to look at photos . . of the bird that he is about to I look from all carve. and angles, get the proper prospective' in .mind, and then begin. While at this interview, Ken was carving a pelican. In the workroom, were books and photos of pelicans. 'Always making sure that the animal is,, as exact as possible. "1 dont make them perfect, but they need to be able to tell what the bird is. There arent to many good joist makers around anymore. 1 try to use the joist to my advantage, he pointed out on the pelican. . Each piece is spliced carefully, making sure there is not a gap in the wood. Then a dowel is set through the two pieces to hold it securely. When the dowel is set properly, it adds to the piece, making it almost invisible. When I use furs and spruces, the kind that have been grown fast like at a tree farm, the growth rings are. wide, and add to the wing effect on the animal, remarked Lind. Sanding and carving bring ' out the deep rich tones of the woods. It is really illustrated well in the rocking horse that he completed some time earlier. Intricate care is taken with the facial features. With the pelican the body structure was . acknowledgeable, but the fine fragile lines that outlines the face could clearly be defined as those of the pelican. Lind takes his carving seriously. His entire shop is equipped with all sorts of handtools and carving' knives, which help him in his operations. You dont keep track of the time that is put in,1 expressed Ken, If you did, youd soon find out that you never come out ahead. . |