Tropical Tiki Sign

Paul Torrigino of Sacramento, Calif., first came across a scroll saw at a county fair three years ago. He had no projects in mind for it at the time, but was intrigued by the machine so he bought it. Soon he started experimenting with the saw and made a playful sign for a friend's birthday party. It became the talk of the party and soon all of his friends were coming to him with requests for their own personalized "tiki" signs. Here he makes a tropical sign as a housewarming gift for his neighbors.

Materials:

1" x 12" rough fencing redwood
2" x 2" x 8" redwood piece
3M Super 77 spray adhesive
artist transfer paper
1-1/4" finishing nails
120-grit sandpaper
Tightbond II exterior wood glue
wood filler
light and dark brown exterior house paint
acrylic paints
artist brushes
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch gloss clear multi-purpose spray sealer
3/4" brass wood screws
plastic coated stainless steel picture wire
drill press and 1/16" drill
scroll saw
lathe
hammer
respirator or dust mask
safety glasses
safety mask

1. Create an artwork pattern on computer art software (figure A). Photographs are used as a guide for the caricatures. Draft a paper pattern if desired

2. Print out the pattern and attach it to pieces of redwood using spray adhesive (figure B).

3. Pre-drill pilot nail holes and inside cuts using a drill press and a 1/16-inch drill bit.

4. Cut out the pieces on a scroll saw and sand individually (figure C). Also cut a piece for the base.

5. Turn a piece of 2" x 2" x 8" redwood into a torch shape on the lathe using carving tools. Sand smooth (figure D).

6. Cut the torch piece in half on the scroll saw creating a half round bas-relief (figure E).

7. Assemble the wood elements to the base piece using wood glue and finishing nails (figure F).

8. Fill in the nail holes with wood filler.

9. Base coat the assembled sign with two coats of exterior house paint. Let dry and then apply dry-brush background color (figure G).

10. Paint the text, artwork and caricatures with acrylic paints (figure H).

11. Apply finish spray sealer.

12. Attach a hanger to the back of the tiki sign with brass screws and picture hanging wire.

E-mail: paul@pariarts.com

Website: www.pariarts.com