Jim Flinn January 2021
Hello everyone, I live in Wootton a small village about 5 miles south of Oxford City. I am 71 years old and started carving birds about 10 years ago. I was initially inspired by the the book Carving Realistic Birds by David Tippy (more of that later) and have for many years admired the work of american carvers Floyd Scholz, Bob Guge and Ernie Muehlmatt. On one of my visits to Slimbridge in 2011 I came across Severn Wildlife Carvers who were demonstrating in the reception area. At that point I had only carved one small bird an Avocet. I was to learn later that it was classed as an Interpretive style bird! Anyway a few days later I receive a reply to my email from Roger Francis (group secretary). His reply was not only informative and friendly but very welcoming, so much so that I attended the next group meeting and as the saying goes 'the rest is history'.The following reference materials are available for loan to members of the Severn Wildlife Carvers. Please note that these materials are provided by the group or individual members. To arrange a loan please e-mail the relevant member. You will find an e-mail link next to each item.
What was the first bird you carved?
The first bird I carved was a small Avocet about 3½ inches long and about 1½ high. Surprisingly it went on to win me a Gold rosette at the 2018 BDWCA Championships in the Interpretive Class at Intermediate level.
How often do you carve and where?
I tend to work in fits and starts. Initially I go flat out and then my motivation wears off. I can go days, weeks and sometimes months without doing a thing especially now as we are not meeting as a group. I do miss the banter and camaraderie of our meetings. I have my band saw in my garage and do the rest of my carving in a 6’x 8’ shed at the bottom of the garden.
How often do you carve and where?
I tend to work in fits and starts. Initially I go flat out and then my motivation wears off. I can go days, weeks and sometimes months without doing a thing especially now as we are not meeting as a group. I do miss the banter and camaraderie of our meetings. I have my band saw in my garage and do the rest of my carving in a 6’x 8’ shed at the bottom of the garden.
What type of wood(s) do you use?
I use Jelutong all the time for carving my birds. I have tried Lime but I find it too hard to carve with a knife. I know others use it and use it well but it’s not for me. I do however use any odd bits of wood I come across for the bases of my carving and for carving rocks, stones etc.
I use Jelutong all the time for carving my birds. I have tried Lime but I find it too hard to carve with a knife. I know others use it and use it well but it’s not for me. I do however use any odd bits of wood I come across for the bases of my carving and for carving rocks, stones etc.
What is your favourite tool and why?
Mmmmmm! this is a difficult one but I think it has to be my Bill Prickett carving Knife. I have a few carving knives from Flexcut. Some years ago Bill Prickett produced his own knives in small and large versions and I bought one of each. They were more expensive than other brands but I love them. Sadly I snapped my small one (my own fault) but I still have the large one which I use most of the time. Unlike most carving knives it has a very narrow handle but it suits me really well. I don’t think they are available anymore. I also use a Flexcut Pelican knife which is basically a curved blade and a small number of Flexcut interchangeable chisel blades.
Mmmmmm! this is a difficult one but I think it has to be my Bill Prickett carving Knife. I have a few carving knives from Flexcut. Some years ago Bill Prickett produced his own knives in small and large versions and I bought one of each. They were more expensive than other brands but I love them. Sadly I snapped my small one (my own fault) but I still have the large one which I use most of the time. Unlike most carving knives it has a very narrow handle but it suits me really well. I don’t think they are available anymore. I also use a Flexcut Pelican knife which is basically a curved blade and a small number of Flexcut interchangeable chisel blades.
What are you currently working on?
I have just finished carving a Goldfinch. It is sealed and awaiting its legs. I also have a half size Magpie waiting for legs. A Spoonbilled Sandpiper and a flying Sanderling waiting to be painted! I will get round to them................eventually!!
What is your preferred style of carving (Realistic, Decoy, Interpretive etc.) and what draws you to this particular style?
My preferred style is Realistic. When done really well they can literally be mistaken for the real thing! I like the challenge of trying to get the pose and attitude I want right. Most times I don’t succeed but I enjoy the challenge even though it can be very frustrating
My preferred style is Realistic. When done really well they can literally be mistaken for the real thing! I like the challenge of trying to get the pose and attitude I want right. Most times I don’t succeed but I enjoy the challenge even though it can be very frustrating
What is your favourite bird to carve and why?
To be entirely honest I don’t have a favourite. I have been asked to carve Robins and Wagtails on a number of occasions so they are the most carved birds I have done. All the Wagtails been completed but left un-painted as that was what the future owner asked for.
To be entirely honest I don’t have a favourite. I have been asked to carve Robins and Wagtails on a number of occasions so they are the most carved birds I have done. All the Wagtails been completed but left un-painted as that was what the future owner asked for.
What is your favourite carving book and Why?
I must have 20 or more books on bird carving. I think my favourite is the first one I bought, Carving Realistic Birds by David Tippy. I got it for about £4 on Amazon post free! There are not that many bird carving books available that are written by British carvers and I have heard this book heavily criticised. However for me it contains a wealth of information in a very readable and helpful format. I would certainly recommend it to any new comer bird carving.
I must have 20 or more books on bird carving. I think my favourite is the first one I bought, Carving Realistic Birds by David Tippy. I got it for about £4 on Amazon post free! There are not that many bird carving books available that are written by British carvers and I have heard this book heavily criticised. However for me it contains a wealth of information in a very readable and helpful format. I would certainly recommend it to any new comer bird carving.
Do you have a carving pet hate, if so what is it?
I don’t have any great problems with the actual process of carving. However I do have issues with some of the other skills required to complete a realistic bird. The construction of the legs and feet is one such skill. I soon learnt why many carvers stick to ducks and decoys… generally no legs or feet are involved. Painting! let’s not go there!
I don’t have any great problems with the actual process of carving. However I do have issues with some of the other skills required to complete a realistic bird. The construction of the legs and feet is one such skill. I soon learnt why many carvers stick to ducks and decoys… generally no legs or feet are involved. Painting! let’s not go there!
If you could pass on one useful tip to your fellow carvers what would it be?
I have quite a healthy scrap box full of my failures. I used to give them to my neighbour for her log burner. In a moment of inspiration I turned to my scraps to find if anything was suitable to experiment on. To my honest surprise I have turned quite a lot of them around and finished up with some nice birds that I had earlier given up on. So my tip is simple, don’t give up. If it’s not going the way you want put it to one side for a few weeks or months. If you do end up throwing it in the scrap bin dig it out again a few months down the road and you might see it with different eyes and end up with the bird you intended in the first place.
I have quite a healthy scrap box full of my failures. I used to give them to my neighbour for her log burner. In a moment of inspiration I turned to my scraps to find if anything was suitable to experiment on. To my honest surprise I have turned quite a lot of them around and finished up with some nice birds that I had earlier given up on. So my tip is simple, don’t give up. If it’s not going the way you want put it to one side for a few weeks or months. If you do end up throwing it in the scrap bin dig it out again a few months down the road and you might see it with different eyes and end up with the bird you intended in the first place.
You have already told us what you are carving at the moment. What’s your next challenge?
I want to try my hand at a Kestrel in a hover above its prey. I have never used a Marquette before so I am going to try one for this project. I bought the plasticine for the Marquette some months ago but haven’t yet made a start!
I want to try my hand at a Kestrel in a hover above its prey. I have never used a Marquette before so I am going to try one for this project. I bought the plasticine for the Marquette some months ago but haven’t yet made a start!