This Isn't What I Expected - Look What Happened to My Tree Stump!

M.D. Holloway · 09-03-2006, 10:24 PM

I contacted a guy who carves tree stumps. I was really looking for a chair or bench, my Wife just wanted me to cut someting simple into the tree stump. The last thing I told the guy was to think bench - my wife told him something simple, nothing showy,something like a church pew of park bench. Here is what the guy did. Looks like something out of a Vistorian parlor! My Wife wants me to ask for a refund or at least to have it cut off.

The guy worked hard at it. I wasn't able to check it out till he was about 7/8 done and my Wife wasn't able to be around while he was working on it. I paid him for his work - don't ask how much. I'm kicking myself. Many folks have commented that they like it and that it will look great with some flowers around The more I look at it the more pissed I get. I think I will call him and talk options. So, what to do?

livi · 09-04-2006, 12:16 AM

Well Mike, adult opinions aside, I can tell you my young daughters would have loved it. They would have made it their little Princess throne, fantasizing roll plays around it all day long.

Who cares about the grown up aesthetic issues, if it can bring joy to the children.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Nice work, although if it's not what you asked for (assuming you were clear with what you wanted when you talked to the guy) then you've got a case to complain.

You could always build a gazebo around it or something. . .

Jared at Pelican Parts · 09-04-2006, 01:06 AM

how big is that thing?

Looks like it's for a dog or something.

nice work, even if it's a bit strange..

fastpat · 09-04-2006, 01:57 AM

It's fabulous, don't get rid of it, you'll wish you had not if you do. Bad karma to get rid of art until you've lived with it for a while.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Yeah, I like it... Find a sculptor to create you a bronze lounging Smurf or Gnome

pmajka · 09-04-2006, 03:21 AM

keep, it, get flowers...it will look nice, neighbors and strangers will fawn over it.

lets see, porsches and fancy lawn carvings...this is a sign of Class.

even if its misplaced...:P

stomachmonkey · 09-04-2006, 04:26 AM

Looks fine.

tabascobobcat · tabascobobcat's Garage

+1

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
Well Mike, adult opinions aside, I can tell you my young daughters would have loved it. They would have made it their little Princess throne, fantasizing roll plays around it all day long.

Who cares about the grown up aesthetic issues, if it can bring joy to the children.

It will become part of your family heritage. One of the kids will take it with them when they leave home.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I see a possibility for a statue of a gorgeous woman in a Victorian-era dress sprawled on it, perhaps with her ample bosom somewhat exposed. Oh, there are possibilities. . .

Seahawk · 09-04-2006, 05:30 AM

Give it a week...then call the stump grinder bubbas if you still think it's hideous, revolting and repugnant.

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Chainsaw it. Fru fru stuff like that ain't gonna fly in Texas...

masraum · 09-04-2006, 06:02 AM

Well, if you decide that you don't want it, you can cut it off flush at the bottom and keep it or sell it or give it away and then have the stump removed. No reason to destroy it because it isn't what you wanted.

Rodeo · 09-04-2006, 06:23 AM

It's just mediocre work, that's the problem. The scale is all off, and the form is too delicate to be sitting on top of a tree stump. Like putting a Faberge egg in a burlap sack.

Problem is, seems like you gave the guy artistic license. Hard to complain when his art does not match your vision.

I'd live with it for at least a couple of months and then rent a stump grinder if it still bothers you.

Rodeo · 09-04-2006, 06:24 AM

Oh yea, how much?

Moses · 09-04-2006, 06:31 AM

Nice stump.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I'd put a "Madonna in a Bathtub" right next to it.

speeder · speeder's Garage

It was not a total waste, in the sense that fellow Pelicans can learn from your misfortune. (This is true of most slip-ups).

If you ever hire another stump-carver, (or any other commissioned artist), ask to see his work, (or at least photos in this case), and maybe a drawing of what you are commissioning. It sounds like you just set him loose on the stump w/ some instructions that in hind sight were too vague, and hoped for the best. At least it wasn't a tattoo.

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Hmmm... Texas.... Chain saw..... I'd let it slide.

slow&rusty · 08:34 AM

I think it looks VERY neat....from my take you have a large front yard with only ALOT of nice grass and thats it.

That sculpture even though its not what you wanted, is actually nicely done and tasteful. With a bed of flowers around it some edging and a some red bark around the flowers would look damn nice...plus it would break up all the boring green grass and add some color and be beautiful as well.

People put all kinds of crap like old wooden wheels, old broken up antique wells, parts of antique horse carriages in their front yards and this is on properties worth more than half a million - so I like your sculpture!

Some thing like this can be done for little cost and can be a fun hubby and wife project together (if you guys like doing that stuff - I know I do!):

-or something like this in 360degrees around the stump and sculpture (wild grass looks cool too BTW)-

-or- wild grass and flowers:

Hope that helps
Yasin