Last Sunday something great happened. I found and purchased a DeWalt 20″ Scroll Saw. I had been looking for one but couldn’t afford the retail price and didn’t really want to waste my money on a mediocre one. But as luck would have it, someone posted a used one online and they only lived a half hour away. Instantly I xacto’d out a deer head, pasted it onto 3/4″ birch plywood and got to cutting. It’s a HUGE improvement from using a jigsaw and once again I want to say thanks to Marilee Salvator whom I met in Philadelphia back in March and who shared more scroll saw advice via e-mail recently. It’s so nice when someone is willing to share their experience.

The scroll saw took me a lot longer to cut since the blade is so skinny, it could easily snap if I forced it. However, the spiral blade was just a dream to use. I could go in any direction which really helped on the antlers and little hair details. And rather than using schlack on the edges, I really love the natural raw look so after using a dremel tool around the edges, I sat back and admired what a scroll saw can do. And actually owning one just blows my mind for all kinds of possibilities. I have been graduated for a year now and access to equipment whether it be printmaking or power tools has been tough. I am very excited to at least continue my edition of these animal heads as well as adding more to the series. In fact, I have one planned out and ready to sketch onto wood!

Now, if only I owned a rolling press….

I am donating this piece to the AIGA 100 Show. The Gala and silent auction is tomorrow evening. It will be interesting to see people bidding on it. It actually kind of makes me nervous, but it’s a learning experience nonetheless. There are so many great things to bid on, including the new Adobe CS5. Makes me drool, but I doubt I can outbid the highest bidder.

Tags AIGA 100 Show deer DeWalt scroll saw woodcuts