Totem Study Complete!

It sometimes feels like my shop is nothing but a collection of tools and unfinished projects - I tend to get very excited about starting things, and not so much about finishing them. But today, I completed a sculpture I started over a year ago, my Totem Study, shown here in front of a wedding chest I made for my sister. I just put a coat of oil on both of them, which is why they look a little wet; they are.

Dave Selden’s Totem Study, Carved Alaskan Yellow Cedar

Detail of sculpture, showing tool marks.

I also started work today on another carving, which I’ll post tomorrow. I made very good progress, but I want to do a few more things on it tomorrow before showing it in progress.



5 Responses to “Totem Study Complete!”

  1. Gabe Says:


    Visit Gabe

    The finished study looks good! I can relate to you about having started many projects and not finishing them. My new mission is to finish all of the ones I have started before moving on to something new. Its hard and not as much fun.

    This cutting board suspense is killing me, I can’t wait til’ Christmas!

  2. Gabe Says:


    Visit Gabe

    Good texture. If this is just a study what would the full size scale look like? Would it be this same pattern repeated?

  3. Dave Says:


    Visit Dave

    I’m not exactly sure what the next version will be - just that I’ve always envisioned this form at a much larger scale - something immense and tall. Bronze? Steel? It would be cool if it was “climbable.”

  4. Tyler Says:


    Visit Tyler

    Is the cutting board standing up behind the chest with just the corner visible?

  5. Dave Says:


    Visit Dave

    We have a winner! Tyler, send me your postal address to “descending ashtray at dave selden dot com”

    Dave