Shorty Who

Shorty's Old World Wood Shop

Shorty Who

Number 1

webassets/First.JPG

The piece that got me going

The dolphins to the right is not the first piece
I ever carved. but it's the first piece that made
me realize people like my art.
It is about 15 years old and no longer then 6".
It is from the petrified yellow pine that we have here
in the south! The shine on it is not varnish, but the natural
resin that comes from the wood it self!

Recently I have had two unexpected request. One a Home School mom asked if she could bring her kids over to my shop and see how thing were made in the Old days. I am very honored that anyone would want to see my dusty old shop, but I think it is so cool. They will probably never see anyone with this kind of a set up. Some people think I am crazy

but those are only the ones who know me! The other request was for me to teach the basics of wood carving. Since I was never taught. I am not sure that I am qualified to teach although I taught for two years, but the way I do things is my way. I would be honored to share what I know but the Nature Coast is a National Wood Chippers Organization has classes for those who are interested. Check to see if you have a club near you. I believe if you are shown a dozen different ways to do wood working you will end up with a thirteenth way. If I can ever help anyone please write me.

webassets/cribtable.jpg

webassets/hichair.jpg

The table on the left is a Cribbage Coffee table made from a Live Oak tree that had been hit by lightning. It had been split down the middle during one of our Texas Tornado Storms so I took my plane and made it flat and drilled some holes for the legs and shoved some branches for legs. After ten coats of varnish I drilled some hole for the pegs and whittled some pegs to keep score with. It was one of my very first projects in 1982 and is as strong now as it was then.

Eric C. chair was made in 1982 for my oldest son. It is still sitting in my shop just as good as it was when I made it in Texas.

We just found out we are going to be grandparents again ,so I will dust this off when Eric and Steph bring the baby to visit grandma.

I love nature more than I do most people.

When mother nature shows me her stuff I just go with it.

webassets/hichair.jpg

Full name:

Email address:

Comments:

Jill and Shorty 1979

I have had several letters from people who have asked where did I get my training? Whattraining! When my wife saw that I was interested in carving things she did check me out a VHS from the Lakes Library on carving Wood Spirits, but I have only done one of those! I guess if I have had any training you will find it in my bar-b-que pit. All the mistakes end up cooking a great steak. Some I keep around to remind me this is fun! On top of my fan in the picture to the right is one of those! He is my attack armadillo! Actually it would have been Marks in DC but I just couldn't get the effect and it turned out to be a dopey armadillo! He just sits on my fan and blows the saw dust in my face!
I guess if you have a nack you just do it, and if you have fun at it thats all the training you need!
Life is SHORT make fun of it!