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First Tomte

My First Tomte



A tomte is basically a "wee folk" from Sweden (in Norway they're called nisse). If snubbed or ignored, they can be mischievous troublemakers. If befriended properly, they will protect house and home. This particular tomte was carved while I was on travel to Mountain Home AFB several years ago. He's from a book by Harley Refsal called 'Woodcarving in the Scandinavian Style'. I've carved several of Mr. Refsal's patterns. This guy was the first of about twenty I've carved to date, but I've never captured that face quite the same since. The 'flat plane' Scandinavian style sneaks into a lot of my work.
 
First Tomte

My Latest Tomte