Today it's done, the Polar Bear is finished

[BeyGon]

Yes, finished but not in time for the gift exchange. I finally sanded my fingers off, put some wax on it, buffed it a little and cleaned up the base. Signed it on the back.
Then I saw a couple scratches on the inside of the feet, damit. I will go back tomorrow and clean them up plus use a power buffer and another coat of wax.
But, it is done. Still at least 75 lbs, 19" nose to tail.
Might get it into a store tomorrow, last days before Christmas, a little late.

[thingmon]

Cool!

[herr_oberst]

Beautiful! The sweep of the grain makes it look like he's in a blizzard!

[Por_sha911]

I was expecting a global warming thread...
Looks cool.

[Nostril Cheese]

Man I wish I had the time to do things like this.

Amazing work.

[tweezers74]

Love!!!!

[bell]

What does something like that retail for? Awesome work

[Baz]

Very nice Dean!

He's even wearing Uggs!

[RANDY P]

That's pretty phat, Homie.

rjp

[widgeon13]

Very nice, great talent.

[onewhippedpuppy]

That's pretty incredible, very nice.

[Arthropraxis]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Man I wish I had the time to do things like this.

Amazing work.

I wish I had the talent. Yes, amazing work.

[BeyGon]

Thank you everyone, it's mostly weekend work, I am in school two days a week. I was lucky with the lines, I had to work with the shape of the stone, it dictated the direction of the bear. Those saw cuts were already there so I had to work with them too. The shape of the marble caused the head to have to turn to the side and it worked out better that way. A little more movement. I tried to make it look like the bear is going for a seal. I bought a $4.99 polar bear from Toys are Us, about 4" tall for the model, this doesn't look like it. Nothing seems to look the way it started but that's ok too. Just hints of the eyes and ears. Next time I might put a little more detail in it. but not much.
I am looking at a large piece of marble now, I think I want to make one about twice as big, it always depends because the marble costs a bunch. This piece cost about $500 and I have been at it for maybe four or five months. I need to speed this up.
I didn't take a picture of the stone before I started, I always forget, but the first picture is about a day into it.

[sc_rufctr]

Well done Dean. Just out of curiosity what sort of money could you ask for this?

(considering the cost of the marble and time I'd guess it would be well into the $$$ thousands)

[BeyGon]

Yes but not exactly sure yet, I will have to take it to a couple places tomorrow and get some ideas. the last stone piece I sold only weighed about 40lbs and I flew it to the guy in my carry on. It was funny taking it through customs. This won't work that way.
There is a Porsche guy inland from Newcastle that has a wood piece I did, I took it to him a couple years ago. He has a 67 912 soft window Targa I think. Not positive of the year.

[Steve Carlton]

Another beauty, Dean!

Totally loving my geckos. They're right on my dresser, where I can see them everyday.

[BeyGon]

older picture I think. or maybe not.

[livi]

Beautiful! Outstanding work. Interesting contrast with the polar bear in front of a palm like tree.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by livi

Beautiful! Outstanding work. Interesting contrast with the polar bear in front of a palm like tree.

That's a succulent, sort of like an Agave but you don't make Tequila with it. Right now it has a very tall stalk in the center with flowers that will turn to a woody stalk and die in a month or so. That is in Laguna Canyon and is typical of natural SoCal areas. Dry and brushy.

[kach22i]

Nice work, but why does everything lean to the right?