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I designed this project to symbolize the fluidity of inspiration and hope. It represents despair symbolized by the dark cloud along with the hope and prayers flowing within the sliver lining. Our neighbor and very good friend obtained the copper praying hands after his wife passed away. He gave these hands to several of his closest family members and friends. He gave one to my wife for all the help she provided while his wife struggled with cancer. My wife asked me to put the praying hands on a board so she can display them. I looked at those praying hands for months, wondering how to capture the essence of the lady behind them.

This is a project that flows from my heart, my wife's heart, to represent the fluidity of life, the love of life, and the power of prayer. The base was specifically chosen with sapwood to illustrate the flow of life on earth from which our prayers flow upward into heaven.

I built this project using walnut and maple and mounted the clouds using tenon and mortise. Something new for me was to make the shellac finish. I used blond dewaxed shellac flakes and applied an initial 1 lb cut, then a 2 lb cut, and two coats of 3 lb cut. The finish turned out really smooth. BTW… I also discovered the fluidity of denatured alcohol, I spilled some on my bench when mixing the shellac :eek:. As a process improvement… I think I'll use a funnel next time.

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Comments

· Registered
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This is beautiful! The Lord is the source from where all blessings flow. What a tribute. I can't think of any better use of our hearts and minds than to honor him through our works and prayer.
 

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nice work Bud… I like it
 

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Beautiful and inspirational work Mike. You can tell this one came from the heart. Well done sir….
 

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810 Posts
Beatiful piece of art..
 

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A beautiful story to go along with a beautiful piece of artistic craftsmanship.
 

· In Loving Memory
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CreekWoodworker,
Very nicely done. I'm sure that it's an inspiration to all who knew your neighbor. The finish is beautiful as well.
 

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wonderful job
 

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Great piece! Beautifully done! Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom
 

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beautiful-beautiful sentiment, meaning, wood, and final creation!
 

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Very Nice work!

The actual story behind the Original Painting of "Praying Hands" Is Very Interesting and Inspirational. i.e. Who is doing the Praying, what are the Circumstances involved, and what is the message of this particular Prayer.

Rick
 

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186 Posts
This is a great project
 

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Great Job, PTL
 
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