THE RETURN OF OPUS X

This has been a project that has been in the works for several years now. It started as just a front piece. Then I decided to give it a carved back as well so the carving could be displayed in such a way that it was visible from both sides. But I still wasn't sure exactly how it should be presented...until now.

*Photo of carving dated 2004

Though I'll leave my vision a surprise for now, I wanted to show everyone the current state of the carving. I might actually be donating this piece for auction as a fundraiser for the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and their school in the Dominican Republic. (www.cf-cf.org)

CASANOVA CIGAR CARVING MILESTONE!


Hard work eventually pays off. After 6 years of carving cigar labels, I have amassed a collection of ten cigar label carvings for my personal cigar label collection. I am quite proud of it all and I hope something comes of the work I have produced.

Join me in celebrating. I might just have to pull out one of my special aged cigars and relish in this milestone.

AVO & PERDOMO READY FOR HANGING!


Matt recently asked, and quite prudently I may add, how my two new carvings were coming along. As it turns out, I finished the mountings this past weekend and they are now ready for hanging.


The Avo came out nicely, though I have to admit I expected more from this carving. As it turns out, the label has very little depth in the center AVO design. It works on the label, but when I tried to paint the carving in the same manner, it just didn't seems right. I try not to stray too far from the original design, so I left it as it appears on the label.

Looking back, I probably should have chosen one of the AVO labels with a more colorful scheme on the center design so that more depth was given to the relief. All in all, I was happy with the finished product. I also used incuse carving for "Domaine AVO" where the subject is carved into the wood as opposed to the negative being carved away (relief). I first tried this on the scrollwork of the Camacho 10th anniversary label and then on the Montecristo label. Using this type of carving on two different pieces, I've seen the handiness in being able to plane a flat area and then coming back in later to carve out detail as opposed to painstakingly carving out the negative areas.

The Perdomo came out just as I had hoped. I knew that the wreath of tobacco leaves was going to be quite a project. And it was! It took quite a while to complete that portion of the carving, but it was well worth it. Perdomo really nailed their design when they put a wreath of gold tobacco leaves on their label. It is so eye catching, and I think the label carries the same quality. I am very happy with this carving, and have to say it is one of my best.

TIMES LIKE THESE...

Scary are times like these. Well, that's at least what "they" say. You know...the infamous "they" that seem to have a response for anything. Take any situation and I guarantee that "they" will have something to say. Well, I like to think life is not as scare as they say it is. Take one day and do the following: turn off the news, put down the editorial, put away your 401K statement, don't pick up the call from your negative friend and I assure you, life will seem quite indistinguishable from life a year ago.

We all know things go through periods of growth and periods of atrophy. It's part of all healthy systems. We can't get caught in the thought that this is NOT natural. I came across an email from XIKAR that had a note from XIKAR CEO Kurt Van Keppel. His words couldn't have been more poignant, and I thought it too good not to pass on to others. Enjoy!

Dear XIKAR Friends,

As I write this, the market continues its roller coaster ride. The pundits say the sky is falling. The politicians say they are here to save the day.

To add to the pressure, we have to keep roofs over our heads and food in our families mouths. Between trying to get ready for the holiday rush and attending events like Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke, there is little time to decompress.


Today I found solace in good, old-fashioned yard work - watching my kids play in the leaves.
Everywhere, we are taking stock of our standing in the world while trying to keep up. But before we get lost in the confusion, let us agree: we are victorious each time we stop and enjoy in what truly matters. Often, those most important reflections happen with a cigar in hand and friends or family near. These truly valuable moments - and the cigar aroma-filled memories that go along with them - will always be remembered over the daily panics. Why? Because they have no numerical or monetary measure. They are what truly matters.

So, should you find yourself overwhelmed, remember: there is no better time to take a step back, dig out those special sticks you've been aging for years and enjoy life.

Sincerely, Kurt Van Keppel

SNEAK PEAK: PERDOMO & AVO

I used to be good at surprises. Somewhere along the way I've lost that patience. I just get too excited to share things (good things anyways). So here's a sneak peak of the next two carvings in their final stages.

PERDOMO: SNEAK PREVIEW



I've been trying to get better at documenting work as it happens. I am usually too excited about getting some paint on the bare carving that I forget to take a few photos. Luckily, I've been focusing a lot more on marketing my work, so I am more conscious of opportunities as the work proceeds.


Here's a little sneak preview of my Perdomo Estate Seleccion carving. I've had the piece cut out for a year and am just now getting around to carving it. This is a great design with the ring of tobacco leaves and with the gold paint scheme it is really going to be a great label. I'll try to get a few more as progress continues. I am also finishing a label of Ave Uvezian's DOMAINE AVO (The purple label). They both should be done in the coming weeks.


Enjoy!

A QUICK MONTECRISTO

I won't deny that I occasionally take on challenges when I am already swamped and really push myself. Whether it it's a smart choice or not is a different conversation altogether. I was down in Greenville visiting Halfway to Habana, the downtown cigar shop I frequent. Paolo, the owner, invited me to the VIP party for the opening of his new shop in Anderson, SC. He mentioned that the cigar of the evening would be Montecristo White and that Jim Colucci, VP of Altadis (owner of Montecristo and a slew of other well-known brands) would be in attendance. Blood started to rush through my head...my pulse was racing. The party was two weeks out, but I told Paolo that he would have a carved Montecristo White label for his party by then. Oh yeah, here goes the "dumb" part. Did I mention that I was also in the midst of planning my wedding which just so happened to be the same weekend of the party? Did I also forget to mention that one of the two weeks I had to complete the projects, I was going to be away at training in Louisiana for my "real job."

Luckily for me, I don't mind late nights working, though it takes a severe toll on my back. I also have a fiance (now wife) that supports me in my "second job." So off I went on the carving. Fortunately the Monecristo label is quite simple and with all of the recent work I've done, the time required to carve it would not make the deadline too impossible.

I really like how the Fleur de Lis turned out. The gold paint really makes it pop. I do have one question though...who's signature is that? And what does it stand for? Please let me know if you have any idea.

Not to ruin the story, but Jim cancelled his appearance last minute. All was not lost though. Apparently it got some attention at the event, so I was able to help out a friend AND I have a new label to hang on my wall. That bring my collection to 8 labels.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Robb, my brother-in-law, was nice enough to send me some non-cigar related work. A coworker of his is a big Arizona State fan and wanted a carving of the logo. I am very much used to copying something, whether it be a cigar label or company logo. When people ask if I can create something for them, but they aren't quite sure what they want, things get a little complicated as my vision may not be the same as theirs. Luckily he knew what exactly what he wanted which makes a job easier.




The design and size was based mostly off of the carving I did for my niece. Although things got tricky when I tried to match the yellow/gold color to the logo. Turns out yellow is one of the most difficult colors when it comes to paint. Not only did I go through about 5 yellows before I found one that was right, but then it took me about 5 coats to get the color thick enough for it to look solid.



Anyways, another job completed. I am going to begin some work on expanding my personal cigar label collection. What's coming next? I am thinking Avo Uvezian and Perdomo.

VISITING THE HOMELAND

I recently took a trip with my fiance down to Florida for an engagement party her parents had thrown for us. While we were down there I decided to pencil in some time for "cigar related activities." Part of the trip entailed a visit to Ybor City, the great cigar town of America. After the obligatory meal at Columbia restaurant, we each found ourselves a cigar and vanished in a cloud of smoke as we walked.

As we walked, we happened upon a Caribbean style open-air bar. The bar seemed to be closed, but we could see a man stocking liquor through the wrought iron fence. Strangely enough, the man let us in and said "I'm not open, but you can come in and have a few beers." We hit it off with Robert, who turned out to be the owner. Nice man, and hard-working for sure. He took on a second job just to support some children the and his wife were fostering.

Robert actually left the bar, with us in it, to go run a few errands. He left us to pour our drinks ourselves. Talk about a good man. It is very seldom you happen upon someone like this.

Since we were heading down to the Tampa area, I decided to bring my Opus X carving to see if any of the Fuente's would be available to sign it. We visited the old Cuesta-Rey Factory which is now the location of the Fuente-Newman offices.

Unfortunately the Fuente's were out of town, but we still got to see the factory and have a great day in Ybor. Hopefully the next trip will be more fruitful.

CAMACHO COROJO TENTH ANNIVERSARY: THE FINAL RESTING PLACE

I arrived in downtown Orlando near midnight to check out the Corona Cigar Bar. I don't remember how, but all of the sudden, hanging the carving that night seemed to be the plan. There was a Camacho event the next day, so hang

So there it is. Hopefully the carving will remain there for many years to come. I have to say that parting with the carving was pretty hard. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would since I knew from the start it wasn't meant for my wall. I think when I get home I might have to start some new labels for my personal collection.