Studio Easel
Below is a series of photos of a new counterbalanced studio easel in quarter-sawn red oak, white oak and black walnut. The two cooperative disciplines of painting and woodworking meet in a special way.
The easel consists of a base, a frame which tilts forward and back, and a counter-balanced carriage which holds the painting and slides up and down on the frame.
Some of the carvings on various parts of the easel.
The base and frame in the shop. Primary joinery is mortise and tenon for all of the components.
The carriage frame.
Haunched tenon of the carriage frame.
Chamfering the tilt-slides with a spokeshave.
“NEW LIFE” carving on the top rail of the frame.
Roman “V” carving on the central stile of the carriage frame.
Counter-balanced using pulleys, rope and 50 pounds of weights, allows the painting to be easily moved up and down without using any type of stops or knobs to hold the carriage in place..
Holding the Thomas panel.
Carved Walnut Frame
Here are a few follow up pictures of a large walnut frame, featuring carved ringneck pheasants and the portrait subject’s name. It is difficult, I must confess, to photograph a large empty frame.
The whole frame against the bench.
Lower left corner pheasant.
Lower right corner pheasant.
The carved name, as well as a view of the bead edge molding
Corner detail.
Natural State Cedar Table, Complete
Three views of the “natural state”, or “rustic” cedar table recently completed.
Carved Rail for a Frame
Below are some pictures of the carved bottom rail of frame for an oil painting. The carving, in process, features two ring necked pheasants, as well as the subject’s name, and a few other decorative elements yet to be executed.
Natural-State Cedar Table
Some photos of the progression of the legs for a natural state Eastern red cedar table.
Single leg with scribed branch support
Fitting the top supports
Sawing leg bottoms flat
Both legs with more branch braces and top support bolted on
A couple of views of the table so far.
Finished Three Legged Post-Oak Stools
Here are some pictures of the finished three legged stools in post oak. The finish is danish oil and wax.
Brother Stool
Below are some pictures of the second three legged stool of post oak. They are a pair but with differences. The rungs on this newest stool are in a “T” rather than forming a triangle connecting leg to leg as in the first. Also, the legs in this stool are a bit more cantankerous.
The legs dry fit with rungs.
Reaming for the legs.
The seat. I counted over 100 annual rings in this seat.
Fully assembled, and awaiting finishing touches.
Both stools together. Here you can see the difference in the rung layout, the “T” on one and the triangle on the other.
Cedar Slab Table
Here are some photos as I am working on the top for a cedar table.
being glued up
the edge with the bark peeled
trimming the ends
arty saw picture
beautiful red sawdust
planning the end…
…up in the air
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