Whimsical Cottonwood bark houses are the latest creations being completed by the Loon Country Carvers in Park Rapids.
Reynold Brix has been teaching the class, which has carvers working on projects in-the-round (two half pieces of wood glued together). Brix, of Park Rapids, has been carving for 35 years - the last 10 years his focus has been on bark carving.
"Bark is normally a lot softer to carve," he said. The carvers all recognized a noticable difference in carving bark as opposed to regular wood. They have been busy carving out roofs, chimneys, windows and trees on their "Fantasy Dreamscapes," the name Brix has coined for the houses. After the carving is completed, the wood will be separated and hollowed out before being glued back together. Acrylic paint and depth lacquer are brushed on the houses to complete the artwork. At right,
Dave Steiner was working on his bark house during a class earlier this week. He said the carving has been "quite a bit different" than the regular wood carvings he usually concentrates on.
The Loon Country Carvers are displaying some of their pieces at the Black Canvas Gallery through June 30. The carvers meet regularly Monday and Wednesday afternoons at the Park Rapids Area Library basement. Anyone is welcome to bring their carving projects to socialize and work with other carving enthusiasts.
