Everyone in my family knows the top requirement for when I go all old and senile is a large, freaking cane. Preferably one with a live rattlesnake wrapped around it. They all think that’s dangerous. So, in lieu of a live rattlesnake, a hand-carved one will do. One EXACTLY like the incredible hand-carved rattlesnake canes made by Mike Stinnett.
Mike is a painter of amazingly detailed wildlife and nature scenes, but once he discovered wood carving, he mixed the two passions together, creating walking canes with ultra-realistic carvings of snakes, lizards and other wildlife. Though the outdoors-loving gentleman could carve a large branch into just about anything, his specialty is snakes–mean-lookin’ snakes–spending seasons, days and hours meticulously carving nostril, eye and scale out a mass of Lodgepole Pine. His videos go into the process he uses, but more than that, they give you a peek into his life and fascination with the beautiful streams, meadows, wildlife and mountains around him.
Wow. Do you not just feel extremely relaxed and inspired? I think I grew a beard like his just watching that. Kids! Get me my carvin’ knife! Papa’s carvin’ a CANE! “Mama! Dad’s watching inspirational Youtube videos again!”
I highly recommend watching more of his videos to see the work Mike does, relax a little and be inspired. You can also keep an eye out for new work available to purchase on his Etsy page as well.
