Automata, Woodcarving, etc.
Automata are, in this instance, crank operated toys.
I make a few each year for my own enjoyment. Sometimes one for sale or a gift.
Take a look around. Hope you like what you see.
This one is about 12 wide, 14 tall, and 10 deep.
Turn the crank, the man saws, the board rocks, the cat on the wood stack
swings it's tail back and forth as the board goes up and down just missing it's tail each time.
The cat under the board moves to the right and left following a cat behind the
carpenters leg. This was a gift to a friend.
Turn the crank and the horse rears up as the cowboy twirlls his rope.
This is the anvil under the horse. The black "L" shaped wire on the left hits
the thin wire attached to the hammer handle. The handle beats on the horseshoe.
A sketch for the toy below.
Turn the crank and the dog scratches with his leg and turns his head to the side.
One of the two front doors to my shop. I made the hinges and the handle/latch
Push the lever on the right down and the gunfighter raises his guns.
View out the North window of the shop.
A shot showing some bench tools.
Potter. Turn the crank his foot spins the wheel
and his hands move up and down over the pottery.
Push the lever and he raises and lowers his hat.
Push the lever and he waves the flag.
Inspired by trips to the White River in Arkansas.
The front fisherman waves his rod which has caught the hat of the guide.
The boat rocks while the water moves back and forth.
The fish under the boat moves back and forth also.
The two men move the saw back and forth cutting the wood.
The Golfer below was made as the Employee's Christmas to Donald Hall,
Owner and CEO of Hallmark Cards.
The golfer pivots at the waist and swings the club.
As the club approaches the ball a groundhog, below ground,
pulls the ball away from the club.
While this is happening the groundhog on the left spins around and up and down
waving the score card.
The Turkey's head bobs up and down eating from the sack. The hole (cup?)
with the flag wobbles from side to side.
Engraved on a chemically aged copper strip around the top of the base is a
quote carried by Mr. Hall:
"Golf is an ineffectual attempt to direct an uncontrollable sphere into an inaccessable hole with
instruments ill adapted to the purpose."
The piece is 9 inches deep, 12 inches long, and 18 inches tall.
It is made, for the most part, from Basswood.
Boyer Gallery
During the summer of 2002 I made a road trip to Belleville, Kansas.
Belleville is the home of the Boyer Gallery.
Mr. Boyer is a 74 year old (I
think) man that builds the
most amazing mechanical creations I have seen.
Working mostly with wire and
washing machine timer motor
Mr. Boyer creates machines beyond belief.
If you are ever in the Belleville
area it is worth your
time to stop and see the Gallery.
Belleville is about 75 miles west of St.
Joseph, Mo onhighway 36.
Click the button to go to my photo's of the Gallery.
