Aboutmaura macaluso Expertise I can answer any and all questions, regarding, wood sculpture, wood carving, carving tools and accessories and different types of woods.I am not an appraiser of carvings nor an antique dealer.
Experience I do full design work, custom carving, restoration, fabrication, repair and refinishing. I can take a piece of raw wood and turn it into a work of art and I can help you do the same. I am "the" carving instructor for the new york city parks dept. I am heavily involved in carving on the internet and belong to many, many mail lists which are quite active. I am also an international promoter of woodcarving and am affiliated with many master carvers, notably nora hall, originally from holland, now in the U.S. and kalina pavlova, a bulgarian master carver. I routinely communicate with the top names in professional woodcarving nationally and internationally.
Organizations the national association of woodcarvers. the woodcarvers of queens NY, the staten island woodcarvers. the northeast woodcarving association. the world wide carving internet list
Publications chip chats-the national magazine of woodcarving. also at www.carvinginnyc.com
Education/Credentials Self taught artist and sculptor, 40 years of drawing and painting as a hobby, 5 years of serious woodsculpting. I have my own website and have written a 300 pg book on carving. I have published online tutorials and pictorial projects
Question Hi
I was thinking of making some lawn furniture from a birch tree with the bark still on the wood, Would you know if it will stay on after cutting and drying or will it need to be treated with something to keep the bark on the log?
Thanks for your time and consideration.
J
Answer Hi J
Birch bark is a bit fragile to work with and will come off with any rough handling so be careful working it. Make sure that plenty of free air is allowed to circulate around the wood while drying. It is best to stack and sticker it(put small slats of wood between the layers, keep it out of the elements and away from high humidity and direct sunlight. After you have constructed the furniture, the best chance you have of keeping most of the bark intact is to coat it with a few layers of clear poly urethane, varnish or lacquer. If it will be outside make sure to coat it with clear marine spar varnish. I suggest a satin finish as anything else might be too shiny for furniture but that of course is a personal preference.. Thanks for the question and good luck with your project.
