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Tim Reis' aka CustomKiis - Carvings |
Customkiis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 18 |  Posted: 2009-11-04 09:31 am Permalink
In the past I have posted under the username: TR. I was living on Kauai, currently in Eugene, Oregon.
I have been carving, fanatically, for the last 4 years. Due to my lack of experience I carve very conservatively. Each carving takes, on an average, 150-200 hrs to complete. Each carving is original and hand carved with chisels and gouges (except for the initial cutting of the log.) All carvings are made with Aloha!
I would post pics here, however I only have a couple of photos on this computer. You can view my carvings at http://www.myspace.com/customkiis Enjoy!
I am using Swiss carving tools which use a softer steel. The softer steel loses it's edge quicker than the harder steel, however it is easier to get them back to that razor sharp state that we all enjoy. Just my opinion.
[ This Message was edited by: Customkiis 2009-11-04 09:32 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Customkiis 2009-12-21 21:06 ]
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hottiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 10, 2008
Posts: 228
From: Garden Grove CA
| Posted: 2009-11-04 10:20 am Permalink
[ This Message was edited by: hottiki 2011-03-16 23:06 ]
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Customkiis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 18 | Posted: 2009-11-05 09:28 am Permalink
Most of my carvings are from 12"-24" with only two of them being over 30". I have carved ki'is from (1)Koa, (2)Formosa Koa, (1)Milo, (1)Hau, (3)Monkey Pod, (3)Walnut and (1)Yew. Most of the woods are medium hardwoods. My first carving was out of the Hau, which is soft. I quickly realized, if I was going to spend that much time on a carving, I wanted it to last.
This is my current work-in-progress approx. 12" and made of English Walnut. The wood was given to me from a co-worker, who got it from a guy, who got it from a river in the midwest.
English Walnut is infamous for having "checks". This piece had one that I was unaware of until I roughed it out. I was able to carve beyond the "check" almost completely removing the weakened wood, unfortunately I broke the hand off. I reattached it using a domino style loose tenon and some epoxy. Worked out pretty good.
Here is the finished product. It now resides on the Kauai, with it's new owner. I am envious
[ This Message was edited by: Customkiis 2009-11-05 09:29 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Customkiis 2009-12-21 20:43 ]
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Customkiis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 18 | Posted: 2009-11-05 09:39 am Permalink
This carving is from a piece of Yew. My aunt has a Yew tree in her yard and I found some very interesting pieces, small logs, laying around that had very interesting colors ranging from orange to maroon/purplish. I did some research and found that the Yew tree is highly prized for bow making and had some medicinal value. So I turned this piece of firewood into a mantle decoration, for my aunt.
I really enjoyed working with this wood. It carved very cleanly, a lot like Basswood, with little to no tear-out. It has the distinct grain of fir/pine, but was much more dense. One of my favorites to work with.
This carving is another shorty, approx. 12"
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AlohaStation
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: 2014
From: So FL
| Posted: 2009-11-05 09:41 am Permalink
Welcome to TC!! Wow great carves. Stick around a while and keep posting.
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Customkiis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 18 | Posted: 2009-11-05 09:45 am Permalink
That is all I have on this computer. Will post others when i can get them.
I think the thing I love the most about wood carving is that it forces me to live in the "now". While I am carving I have to think about that one mallet stroke or that one cut. When I am carving and thinking about past or future events, that is usually when mistakes happen.
Wish I could live in the "now" more often, outside of carving.  .
A hui ho
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TikiG
Grand Member (2 years) 
Joined: Jun 17, 2008
Posts: 1519
From: Palmdale, California
| Posted: 2009-11-05 10:38 am Permalink
Customkiis -
Love the elemental-being vibe I get when I look at your carvings, but I especially love the types of wood used in creating them...VERY COOL!
These exotic woods really showcase each idols' mana. The Yew is fantastic!
Please post more of your work here on TC and like the others I say keep up the great work
Thanks for sharing.
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TikiMango
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 17, 2008
Posts: 798
From: Satellite Beach, FL
| Posted: 2009-11-05 2:57 pm Permalink
Your pictures on MySpace are terrific! Great style, and interpretation. Love the two-tone pieces.
_________________
Pupule Tiki!
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tikigodz
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 12, 2009
Posts: 439 | Posted: 2009-11-05 3:11 pm Permalink
Just when your thinking you getting pretty good at this carving thing, Ther is always someone out there to give you a swift kick in the @$$ , You work is AWESOME!! and the time spent really shows,,, Keep them coming!!
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Kino
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 16, 2009
Posts: 100
From: Valley of The Sun (Phoenix, AZ)
| Posted: 2009-11-05 6:47 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-11-05 09:45, Customkiis wrote:
I think the thing I love the most about wood carving is that it forces me to live in the "now". While I am carving I have to think about that one mallet stroke or that one cut. When I am carving and thinking about past or future events, that is usually when mistakes happen.
Wish I could live in the "now" more often, outside of carving. .
A hui ho
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---------^--Perfectly expressed ! I couldnt agree more.
And that you for sharing your beatifully, refined work.
_________________
Kino Thanks You
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laojia
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 04, 2009
Posts: 920
From: Metz Lorraine France
| Posted: 2009-11-07 11:35 pm Permalink
Amazing work here! You've a beautiful own style. Please more pics!!!
J.
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Customkiis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 18 | Posted: 2009-12-21 9:17 pm Permalink
Here is my latest "Work in Progress" It is a 4ft tall walnut log, approx. 14 inches in diameter. I knew the log had some rot and bug damage and had to expose it in order to determine the extent of the rot. After seein how badly it was damaged I almost turned it into fire wood. After staring at it for a long time, I decided to carve it. I realized there was a lesson in that log. It was either going to make me realize "Leave rotten logs for firewood" or "rotten logs can be beautiful carvings, too." I know this carving will have a large crack running down the from the chest to the nose. I am hoping that the wood around the crack will be extremely colorful and wild looking. The body is mostly roughed out, I will post some pics when the body is a little more refined.
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Davez_tikiz
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 17, 2005
Posts: 333
From: Riverside, CA
| Posted: 2009-12-22 08:16 am Permalink
Wow! you have an amazing style! Can't wait to see more!
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10309
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2009-12-22 10:12 am Permalink
Well I'm as "Wow'd as the rest of the posters. Excellent stuff you have here and the last 12" guy looks Really great, especially withoput the thick finish you are adding. You might try a rubbing poly to give a nice hand rubbed look without the deep shine.
Definitely Sweet carvings, Welcome!
OH Yeah, your photo (on My Space) of the toy outrigget and the little shark looks REAL.... Yes, I saw the Peeps in the boat and I see they are trying to row away as fast as they can! They look real too.   
[ This Message was edited by: Benzart 2009-12-22 10:15 ]
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Customkiis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 18 | Posted: 2009-12-27 5:36 pm Permalink
Well the body is pretty much roughed out. This carving will be a half-body with braids running to the ground. I am going to have to start outlining the braids, so that I can finish the side of the body, where the braids meet the body.
Benzart - that glossy finish is 6 coat of a spar varnish. I did in fact coat the small Yew carving with a rub on poly. Funny you mentioned that. I am still playing with different types of finishes. Do you have any that you prefer? Any that hold up well out doors?
Mahalo
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