I begin with kiln dried, rough lumber.
	The core is a hollow stack lamination.  A cardboard template guides me as I arrange the blocking.
	Legs from 4 inch thick lumber are positioned where they will go.
	The legs are fastened to the core by double mortise and tenon joinery
	Next I glue on blocking for the toes and carve the feet.
	The bench is assembled and ready to carve. When I look at this ungainly block, I wonder if I can do it.
	All the square corners need to be removed just to get a sense of how the bears will look.
	I do much of the rough shaping with a chain saw toothed disc on my bench grinder.
	My hands are the perfect measuring tool to make sure the face is symmetrical
	A pattern of lines and shadows form the image of a bear. I mark these on the roughed out bench, and carve them.
	I use a round bottomed spoke shave to texture the carved surfaces, mimicking fur.
	The nose and eyes are colored black, the body is stained white, and it’s ready for the finish. I use a catalyzed varnish, sprayed on.

If you like what you see,

get in touch with Jeffrey Cooper,

to commission a work of art for your home,

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or just to let him know.