The Great Pyrenees Walking Cane-How I Carved It Twice 

I thought I would chime in about now as I was the person who commissioned Mike to make this stunning piece of art. I had it made for my boss who loves Othello and Sammy more than words could describe. Othello past away after the work was commissioned and as you can guess made the project even more meaningful. Once Mike had completed the carving and emailed me the pictures I was more than ecstatic. We discussed leaving it the way it was or adding paint and as you saw in the video, went ahead and added the paint. Most of you are correct that once painted it was beautiful and looked EXACTLY like the dogs although my feeling was we ended up losing continuity from the stick to the wood grain as it transferred to the dogs heads. Mike's craftsmanship was also reduced and as painful as that phone call was to make, it had to be done. The other factor was knowing my boss and what he would want. The fact that the cane will live in his Jackson, Wyoming home made the natural wood finish a better choice. I'm writing this because I wanted you all to know that Mike was the most understanding, compassionate person through this process and never once made me feel bad or that I was wrong in my request. Seeing the finished product on this video does not do it justice as I have since given it to my boss who I consider my friend. He was very appreciative of both the thought and that of Mike's ability to bring his beloved dogs to life on this cane. Lastly I would like to say that I too had a sickening feeling while watching Mike start scraping off the white paint. So no hard feelings to the many that thought/think I'm nuts!

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Your customer is nuts,its a gorgeous piece painted.

Merry Christmas, looks like Pearl was thinking she'd like her self carving one day.

The only reason someone wouldn't like paited version is because it looks alive and probably gets that person emotional...

You my friend have a true gift from God. I would prefer the painted dogs like you originally did it. To each their own. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and an awesome New Year. Give Pearl an extra dog treat for me. Until the next one my friend.

You sir are the Bob Ross of wood carving.

That sucks about the paint. It is beautiful either way. Merry Christmas Mike

I'm french and i'm proud to see this dog. Amazing.

And the ledgend dose it again 100% skill 100% talented people 1000% artist. 👏👏👏🐶

You, sir, have my utmost respect! Not everyone would have taken the time to remove the paint and done it with the patience you carry with you. Thank you for being the man you are!

What a shame you had to remove the paint. Customer was wrong but both are beautiful. I would have chose paint! Beautiful piece!

Hello, I'm french, living in the pyrenees mountain ! It's so great to see that kind of work !

Merry Christmas. I have to agree the piece was just stunning painted

My wife and I have two female great pyrenees. That painted version was absolutely stunning. What a way to remember true family members

It's been a while since Iv'e watched your video's ,,,, The best part was seeing your little dog first thing ,,, what a buddy !

Certainly not sure if you will see this comment but I think you might consider a beautiful Pearl walking stick. I love your work. You are such a talented wood carver and artist. Thank you for sharing your talent.

Riesci sempre a lasciarci con gli occhi spalancati alle tue opere e alle tue montagne . Radioso Natale dall'Italia.🌲🤗

We got to see the cane beautiful two different ways! :D Mike, you and yours have a beautiful, blessed and Merry Christmas!!! May the next year be the best yet, and full of amazing blessings!!! Thank you for sharing so much with us in 2019!!!

New video???? BEST XMAS GIFT EVER!!! ❤️❤️

Hello Mike from Arkansas ! Mike your a true master ! I hope your eye sight and hand never falters .the way my dad's have !! 😞 He was a car mechanic for over 50 year's ! And worked hard at it !!! But now he's in a nursing home and can't even lift his walker !!!!! 😞 god bless you !!!! Your friend from Arkansas !!!! Give pearl a hug !!!! 🐕

Another beautiful masterpiece. Thank you and pearl for sharing.

I’m with the customer. I just love the wood natural. Don’t get me wrong because he can paint as well as he can carve. Your talent is remarkable

Pyrenees is a handsome breed. I love watching your videos.

I love it! Man customer's can change the game for sure

Sure looked nice painted. You do excellent work. I appreciate watching you create.

Oh wow, this must have been a refreshing change and creative challenge! Beautiful tribute to a beloved pet. ❤️

The only relief I got from seeing you have to strip away all that beautiful detailing, is the fact that you still got to showcase and immortalize that excellent handwork.. Goodness, that thing looks alive! Merry Christmas, Mr. Stinnett!

A gorgeous and noble breed, your renditions are beautiful and a fitting tribute to such lovely dogs. Timeless/classic is in the eye of the beholder, anyway. All those austere marble statues we think of as “classic” used to be brightly painted.

Beautiful and captivating as usual, Let us appreciate the great loyalty of the man's best friend!

A masterpiece. It looks wonderful either way. It's the meticulous work that makes it.

Beautiful scenery

I like both versions. Great work as always 👍. Pearl is definitely your best friend. Don't forget to give her a treat 😊.

Your videos always bring a peaceful and calming feeling to my day.

i got to say your walking sticks are brill they have inspired me.

Beautiful work once again. Both ways you did it. Wonderful job.

I've been a carpenter for 40 years and I can see what a very talented artist you are the painted version brought them to life all the best for the New Year 👍👍👍👍

Can I say you are a wonderful artist and I am grateful you grace us with you spectacular art. Thank you so much.

You are one of the artists that inspires me most to make crafts and make paintings.

Aww! This is so wonderful! I have a Pyr myself, and she’s such a sweetheart. The loyalty part you mentioned is entirely correct. She is the ultimate guard dog, barking at people from inside the house. She knows she can’t protect us from inside the house. If she’s outside, she’s calm as can be. We rescued her, so we don’t know exactly how old she is, but she’s still pretty healthy. She has double douclaws, and adores the snow. She really is a mountain dog. This is wonderful work. Thank you for showcasing such a wonderful breed!

Beautiful carving. I love watching Pearl too, great character.

Looked great both ways...👏👏👏

Ottimo lavoro Stinnett, grazie per la condivisione. Ciao

I have a friend that has a pyrenees It sure keeps the wolfes away. You do know how to bring a cane to life .What a beautiful carving. Mike Merry Christmas to you and your awesome family. God Bless Sir.

My son has fallen in love with your dog.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year☺ Looking forward to future carvings

This man is awesome I really enjoy his work he is very detailed in his carving I like his little dog pearl

I bet Pearl is mighty jealous now! But of course her likeness it too adorable and would make an excellent carving

Beautiful work.

When I saw he was going to paint 🎨 the wood; I shuddered. It was perfection in natural form....but then I also enjoyed the painted version . Flip a coin..beautiful either way !

TRULY STUNNING

Fantastic carving, Mike. Absolutely unbelievable. I was elated to hear you say you were keeping every scrap of wood for future projects. I hate to see any wood go to waste if it can be saved.

Merry Christmas Mike , Pearl and family and all you guy's . Beautiful scenary and workmanship Mike thank you .

Absolutely amazing!!!👍

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Mr. Stinnett & Family! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone else too!

Another priceless peice, keep up the amazing work

My daddy was a woodworker, I love wood. My first instinct was, natural. Then the paint was showing so many of the details, was beautiful, but alas the paint had to be removed. I suppose it’s beautiful either way to most of us. Like I said, love wood and your work is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

That was absolutely stunning Mike you are a truly very talented person and the stick was beautiful

Another beautiful piece!

Merry Christmas 🎄 sir, looks like my lovely wife and I will be headed ur way come this spring. We r retiring and looking in Oregon, Washington and Colorado to build a cabin and I will write and paint and carve bowls on my lathe...I would enjoy taking u out to eat and maybe sitting with u and pearl and my honey over a cup of coffee and just swap stories of when we were young. I’m 65 now...getting old. But never to old to create. Now I will be quiet and watch a master at his craft..

Now that's a lot of work. Double. Great job as always

Beautiful Work👍 Fantastic Video

You turely are gifted. Fantastic job. I just love your carvings.

Your work brings joy to my heart. Wishing you a merry Christmas and many blessings in the new year.

I have been waiting to see the finished product. As always so amazing and incredible detail

Your patience is quite amazing

MARRY CHRISTMAS,GREAT PIECE OF ART AS ALWAYS,THAN YOU.

It was beautiful painted, but... the customer was right - it's timeless and classic, this way. And, it lets that incredible Fiddleback grain express itself through you exquisite carving, making the dogs' fur look stunning! Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas to you & yours!

I watch many of your video`s and still get blown away by your work, incredible. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Very Best Wishes for the New Year

Another top video beautiful workmanship as always

Beautiful as usual. Merry Christmas.

The best relaxing videos you can find

Merry Christmas to you too and I just got a 6 week old Great Pyrenees male!

Very nice carving

The painted version looked really good

Merry Christmas to you and your family. I absolutely love all of your work!

yet another brilliant cane

Perfect timing for Christmas thank you 😊 Merry Christmas!!

You've got the patience of Job! Beautiful work as always!

Merry Christmas! Thanks for continuing to share your craft and artistry.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Beautiful work once again sir.

I liked it painted but the final was gorgeous too. Merry Christmas !!

fantastic talent you have thanks for sharing with us .you and your family have a great Christmas and new year

Happy new year!!! Both works are great....

Merry Christmas and I enjoy watching your video.

Beautiful work, I also like the character of the wood.

I really like the painted version, you have an amazing way of making things life-like. But i am equally impressed by your paint removal skills!

Долго ждал ваше новое видео. Работа потрясающая! Вы мастер высокого класса!

That would have been an absolute perfect Christmas present for me today!! I have a 6 month old (85 lb so far) Anatolian Pyrenees.

Merry Christmas! Stick is amazing! And thanks for your videos they inspire me train carving hobby

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! Great carving 👋👌👍🇬🇧

Absolutely fantastic, either version has its merits. Happy Holidays.

Amazing. Both ways look great. Enjoy your holidays.

Lovely work mate

Beautiful work!!! Красивая работа!!!

😮You do dogs now?!!😃 Oh man, there's too many breeds for me to request having you do! I love 'em all! I have Jack Russells. If I wanted something carved, I would like them to look like our first boy. Oh my goodness! Once again you blew my mind with your incredible talent. Thank you for the video. You & Pearl have a wonderful Christmas!

👌 sir, animals are true friend when we have. We not filling alone. They are cute beautiful. Thank God and his nature 🙏🇮🇳

Fantastic as usual. What a great artwork. Merry Christmas to you and your family and have an awesome New Year.

Dear sir, I've been without my "girl" for 9 years now she was an incredible dog, loyal, and patient! Miss her terribly! Would really love to honour her with something! I'm nobody but a great fan, Pearl is .... a reminder of my Dutchess, great dog loyal, obedient and a great friend! Your friend The lonely Canadian!

what a true artist