Tiger - 2003

I've always wanted to carve a tiger, but was always a little intimidated by the difficulty of such an undertaking.  I finally convinced myself to "just do it".  I worked on this carving for a little over two months, which included a lot of time spent looking at pictures and video of tigers.  I'm especially pleased with the eyes and the paint job.  I left the paint thin enough so the wood grain shows which I think is important so people don't think its molded plastic.  What do you think?

This carving won first place and best-of-division in the intermediate level at the 2003 Idaho Woodcarvers Guild Show, and first place and best-of-division in the advanced level at the Great Salt Lake Woodcarvers 2003 show.

Size:  3.5 inches high by 7.75 inches long

Wood: Basswood (walnut base)

Finish: acrylic paint w/ acrylic sealer