Architectural Woodcarving by Susana Caban

Hand Carved Wooden Spoons by Susana Caban

2011-11-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Below are examples of special order hand carved spoons for collectors or one of a kind gifts. For ordering infornation, send inquires to cabancompany@gmail.com

Coqui Spoon in Cherry Wood Front

Coqui Spoon Back

Salad servers in cherry wood with sunflower design.

Apple wood spoons with flower designs.

Mahogany Shell Spoons Back

Mahogany Shell Spoons Front

Walnut Wood Salad Servers with Shell Design

Dolphin Tasting Spoon carved in Cherry Wood

Sea Horse Spoon carved in Walnut Wood

Parrot Spoons and Salad Servers carved in Walnut Wood

Cockatoo Spoon carved in Cherry Wood Front

Cockatoo Spoon carved in Cherry Wood Back

Hummingbird Spoon Carved in Cherry Wood

Dolphin Spoon in Cherry Wood Back

Dolphin Spoon In Cherry Wood Front

Amiga the Cat Spoon carved in Cherry Wood Front

Amiga the Cat Spoon Back

Swan Ladle Carved in Apple Wood with Garnet eyes Front

Swan Ladle Back

Fish Salad Servers Carved in Walnut Wood with Turquoise eyes Front and Back

Hand Carved Coats of Arms-Escudos-in Wood by Susana Caban

2011-09-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hand Carved Crests and Coats of Arms for your family, organization, fraterity, sorority, church, or office, custom made to your specifications.

I will work from your design, photo, or ideas for a truly unique one of a kind treasure for generations to come!

The PRICE VARIES with requested size, type of wood, framing (if desired) and difficulty of design.

Please contact me with your special requests and requirements. We can work together to make a Coat of Arms to fit your needs and budget.

You can send designs or requests to cabancompany@gmail.com for free price quotes for various size options.

You can see more of my hand carved art and jewelry by visiting
http://www.susanacaban.etsy.com/

The design is drawn on and the waste wood is removed before carving begins.

Examples of completed work carved in cedar with walnut frames.

Detail of work in progess.

Architectural Carving- Mahogany Door with Hibiscus and Hummingbirds

2011-05-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hummingbird and Hibiscus Door Carved in Mahogany Wood

Painted with oil paints and highlighted with gold leaf.

Architectural Carving- Mahogany Door with Hibiscus and Hummingbirds

2011-03-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

This door was commissioned for an interior closet. 24" wide by 80" tall. It was made with 3 pieces of Cuban Mahogany. This is the kind of mahogany that is native to Puerto Rico, it is very heavy and dense. The center strip is 15" wide and the two side panels are 4.5" wide each. The thickness is 1".
After the initial construction and sanding of the door, the first step is to lay out the design in an aesthetic way.
The goal is to balance the positive and negative space.

Mahogany door with hibiscus and hummingbird design laid out.

The second step is to prepare the door for carving by piercing the design to allow for ventalation in the tropical environment of the mountains in Puerto Rico.

Design pierced and ready to carve.

This customer also commissioned this panel for her kitchen, also carved in 1 inch thick Cuban mahogany.

Grapefruit panel in mahogany for installation in kitchen.

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2011-01-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

The second ocean scene column is finished!! This completes the series of eight columns making this amazing home truly a unique environment! A grouping of 3 squid swim across the top in the photo above, and below is the family of Queen Angel fish with 2 adults and one juvenile.

The ocean floor is decorated with seaweed, a seahorse, star fish, and a sea urchin.

On the top of this final column is just the tail end of a happy dolphin leaping for joy! It truly has been an amazing project! Gracias a Dios!

Many blessings,
Susana Caban
www.susanacaban.etsy.com

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-12-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

The first ocean scene column is now complete!!

And now on to the final post in this collection. The second ocean scene column, which will have a family of Queen Angel Fish and a dolphin tail leaping for joy!

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-11-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

The third set of columns have been carved with Passion Flower vines on the top and coquis and grass on the bottom. Here is a closeup of the column near the kitchen located in the center of the house. The ripe parcha fruit was positioned above the kitchen counter as an inspiration to the chefs.

Above is a closeup of the passion flower leaves by the kitchen.

And a closeup of the matching column by the spiral staircase.

Here is a photo of the base of the columns carved with a friendly coqui tree frog to greet the visitors.

And below is a sneak peak at the beginning work on the last set of columns with the ocean scene.

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-11-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the finished grape vine columns at the entrance of the dining room. At the center on the back wall is my coqui and foliage panel perfectly at home in the mountain paradise.

And a sneak peak at the 3rd set of columns, which have evolved from the original design of ivy, to grass and coquis on the bottom of the columns. The tops of these 10 foot columns will be carved with passion flower vines dripping from the top.

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-10-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Grape Vine Columns at the entrance of the dining room are well under way. After carving the design on the first one, I applied some stain to the background and some subtle color with oil paints to the grape bunches, leaf veins, and vines. Then I varnished the post to bring out the rich variations of color.
The first column is completed and the second one is on the finishing touches.

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-10-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

The first pair of columns with the bamboo motif are finished! Above, in the top photo you can see how they invite the beauty of the outdoors inside to be enjoyed rain or shine!

In the top photo (on the right) is my Puerto Rican Parrot Parrot bird carving of the highly endangered Amazona Vittata which can be viewed in more detail at http://www.susanacaban.etsy.com/ There you can view more of my carvings and jewelry inspired by nature.

In the bottom photos are the beginning of the second set of columns at the the entrance of the dining room. For these, I designed grape vines wrapping around with bunches of grapes to be enjoyed from all sides.

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

The first column is completed by day 6 of carving and the second bamboo column is begun.
Enjoying the journey,
Susana Caban

Architectural Woodcarving in Maricao, PR

2010-10-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Working above the clouds on the first column with bamboo design in progress.

2010-10-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Working on site in the breathtakingly beautiful tropical setting of the mountains in Puerto Rico. The view is magnificent and artistic inspiration is everywhere.

The commission entails the carving a total of 8 wood columns from my designs. The customer has chosen 4 different designs to be done in pairs. The first pair of columns will be carved with the bamboo design for the entrance way. These 2 columns measure about 8 feet tall. The other columns will be carved with designs of ivy, grape vines, and an ocean scene. These columns range from 6 to 10 feet tall.

I begin by drawing the bamboo design on both columns, freehand, with a charcoal pencil.

After approval of the layout from the customer, the actual carving begins. With the use of chisel and mallet, the design is outlined. This first step is done to define and protect the wanted parts of the design during the removal of unwanted material around the bamboo. You can see in the pictures the beginning phase and how the process begins. At the end of this process, there will be 2 levels, the design and the background. This step will take a couple of days as I am working vertcally, in the round, on very hard wood.

I look forward to be posting my progress and sharing this amazing journey with you all. If you would like to view more of my work please visit http://www.susanacaban.etsy.com/

Many blessings,
Artesana Susana Caban