New Christmas figures

[Jo Winter2]

Hello,
christmas time just started ? Yes !
New figures in your nativity scene.
20cm high.
Comments welcome.

[Roger Groom]

Hi Jo
Most unusual pieces and very clever use of grain pattern. Its a bit too early for Xmas though, isn't it???
Roger G

[Jo Winter2]

Yea Roger, you are right. These figures are very abstract.
But please have a look a little bit more time and you will discover all
essential characters of the showed figures. Maria sherpherds the kid,
Josef watches over all, the kings give their gifts and are bowing to the kid.
Only problems I got concerning the cow and the moke.
Regards  Jo

[Dave Atkinson]

Hi Jo

I think these are great on so many levels - technically superb, timber and grain structure perfect for the subject,  but more importantly I think the artistic impressions of the figures are brilliant.

I would never have thought of that in a million years!  And I doubt I could turn then either.

By the way - what is a moke?


Cheers Dave

[Jo Winter2]

Hi Dave,
thanks for your answer.
A moke ? I found it this word in the dictionary as translation for a "Esel", may be you name it donkey ?
Regards  Jo

[woodndesign]

Hi Jo,   Donkey it is..   

As already said, these are some well thought out and detailed pieces, I like them, their so graceful, as for christmas, don't put them out too soon.      ...

David

[Dave Atkinson]

Hi Jo

As David says - Donkey it is  - don't forget the sheep, the shepherds and the angels as well   

I think it may take until Christmas to finish it all. 
Cheers Dave

[Bryan Milham]

I think you've found the abstract of the figures perfectly, they reflect their historical references with ease. Well executed and fantastic originality.

2 questions though;

What is the wood you've used for the bodies, it's a very dramatic grain, and

who is the grinning face behind the 3 kings!

[Jo Winter2]

Hi Dave,
the turning itself is very easy, then I cut the front side with a band saw and sand it with
a self made sanding cylinder. The most important thing is to read the grain in the wood to get
the best result.

Hi dr4g0nfly,
thanks for your agreement.
The wood is staghorn sumac, a very soft wood. The grinning face behind the kings is the inside
of a possible crib.

Thanks  Jo