Phoenix Two Blocks

 

This looks like a simple two block design that is made difficult and dimensional by the stack.  Each wing piece is cut on an angle before the next piece is frozen on.  This makes the wings turn and you can carve them easier into a more natural position.

Note:

This sculpture has a large wing span and can show great movement and flow.  When freezing on wings each piece has a slight cut and turn.

  

Fact:

Greg Butauski carved this sculpture and won regional events in Waterviet, MI  and St Joe’s MI.  It scored a silver and gold medal.  This design helped him to win the Tour Champion in 2009.  This piece was inspired by a Junichi Nakamura design.

  1. 1.Procedure:

  2. 1. Cover block 1.

  3. 2. Split block 2.

  4. 3.Cut out pieces B C D E place in dry ice box.

  5. 4.Cut out head first dimension and leave on carving table.

  6. 5.Cut low W and High W(ing) and tail, place in dry ice box.

  7. 6.Back to head and carve.  Place in dry ice box.

  8. 7.Uncover block 1 and cut out piece A. 

  9. 8.Place A on ground so it is 10” tall x 15” wide x 15” deep.  This makes a good stable footer for the wide wing span. Cover with dry ice.

  10. 9.  Lay the body of the pheonix on side to freeze piece S on in a horizontal position.  This will help make an easier and stronger seam.

  11. 10.  Cut S on a severe angle so the next piece B is coming out at a 45 degree towards you.

  12. 11.  Now freeze on Piece B.

  13. 12.  Carefully stand the sculpture up and lean it on the corner of the block and piece B.  Balance the piece us by putting something in either side.  The block will be on a 45 degree angle now to make the seam for pieces T and D.  The angle makes it easier to freeze than if the seam was in a completely vertical.

  14. 13.  Freeze T onto block and then cut T on an angle so that piece D will come out at a 45 degree angle away from you.  You should start to notice the the wings will create an S-shape.

  15. 14.Stand sculpture up, place on lift and put the body of the pheonix on to piece A and line it up.  Hand saw the seam together and let freeze.  With both wing pieces C and D the sculpture will be in complete balance. now you can finish stacking wings.

  16. 15. Cut piece B on another angle so that piece C comes out around a 20 degree angle coming forward towards you.

  17. 16.Cut piece C on an angle so that piece Low W comes forward again.  Now the lower wing will appear to have a c-curve from the body all the way to the wing tip.  Now cover entire wing with silver foil and dry ice the seams.

  18. 17.  Freeze piece E flat on to piece D so that it overlaps the first to seams of the body to T to D.  This will create a complex seam and give you more stability.

  19. 18.  Freeze High W on top of piece E

  20. 19.  Cut out first dimension of the taller wing and carve then detail to completion.  Cover with silver bag to protect from sun.

  21. 20.  Carve lower wing first dimension, carve, then detail to completion.  Cover again to protect from the sun.

  22. 21.  Carve body and tail.

  23. 22.  Freeze on tail tip blend and detail.

  24. 23.  Clean entire sculpture

  25. 24.  Freeze head on to body and blend in and re-detail.

  26. 25.  Clean