Practise Wheku - tuatahi

 After talking with Tom and him sketching out and explaining 'levels' we found a piece of scrap wood in the box to start on.  It was small and I'm guessing it's a piece of totara.  

I started with the whakangao stage which is to shape and take out larger areas of the block of wood after drawing the wheku design.

I sketched and took notes as I went along so it could help me when I started on the large wheku.

I needed alot of guidance from Tom while making this and I noticed how different it was carving wood with a grain.  I learned some good tips on how to tackle the grain too which I am really grateful for.  My greatest 'aha' moment was when Tom showed me how to work the chisel in removing rākau with the grain in mind.

I chipped away at creating the wheku tuatahi and loved the wero. 

I was pleased with the ārero even though it looked really messy underneath.  I used Toms piece 'Maui and tunaroa' to figure out how to shape it.  I found it really helpful to keep referring back to it.

I was pleased with my first attempt at a little wheku and enjoyed the process.  I really liked carving totara.  The whao marks is what I really love.  I will gift this first piece to Rāhana - my sonshine.