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Tim Racer’s Incredible Carousel Dogs [w/pix]
HaloPets.com ^ | Caroline Golon

Posted on 01/15/2013 1:30:30 PM PST by Slings and Arrows

Tim Racer, an Oakland, area artist, is known for his unusual work – carving beautiful, lifelike, custom carousel “dogs.”

 

Racer’s passion began while helping to restore old carousel horses. He enjoyed the work so much that he decided to try his hand at carving his own. “My pit bull Sally was a natural subject so I thought I’d give her likeness a try,” Racer says. “People really responded to that carving, so I’ve been busy carving carousel dogs ever since.”

 

These works of art are labor intensive. Each carousel dog requires up to 700 hours to create. Racer’s dogs are commissioned by enthusiastic dog owners looking for an unique way to celebrate their dogs. “It’s the best part of what I do,” Racer says. “Meeting like-minded people who have passions for their dog…and my art.”

 

Each piece is lovingly created, incorporating the dog’s personality. One model named Chloe is ball-obsessed, so Racer incorporated her favorite tennis ball into the sculpture. Graham, another subject, loved his mom’s dragon collection so much that she gave him a stuffed one, expecting him to tear it apart. He didn’t and, instead, took excellent care of it. Racer carved a sweet little dragon riding on Graham’s back.

 

Racer’s love and dedication to honoring dogs doesn’t end with his art. He’s also the founder of BAD RAP, a pit bull rescue that he founded in 1999 with his wife. Racer says they were inspired to start Bad Rap because of his sweet rescued pit bull, Sally. When they founded the organization there were few pit bull rescues and they wanted to help. In between Racer’s artwork, the rescue and the couple’s three dogs of their own, it’s pretty busy. “Never a dull moment!” Racer says.


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: carouseldogs; doggieping
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To: Slings and Arrows

These are GORGEOUS! Oh, there are going to be some very, very happy people on Facebook later (rescuers. & dog owners)
Thanks so much for sharing this!


21 posted on 01/15/2013 4:51:15 PM PST by KGeorge (hoplophobia: n. irrational, morbid fear of guns. A mental disorder coined by Col. Jeff Cooper)
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To: Slings and Arrows
Art that is truly beautiful. How refreshing.
22 posted on 01/15/2013 4:56:39 PM PST by St_Thomas_Aquinas
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To: Slings and Arrows; JoeSixPack

Gorgeous! Thanks for the ping, Joe!


23 posted on 01/15/2013 5:00:59 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Slings and Arrows
Wonderful talent with such true doggie expression. The sculpted dogs seem to *move* on their own, without the need for carousel motion.

Sure beats the fur sculptures we've seen.


24 posted on 01/15/2013 6:09:05 PM PST by Daffynition (The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. — D.H.)
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To: Joe 6-pack; Slings and Arrows; ntnychik; dixiechick2000

Thanks Joe, I’ve been absent awhile. The dog carvings are just outstandingly beautiful. What talent he has.


25 posted on 01/15/2013 6:22:46 PM PST by potlatch (~)
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To: Daffynition

Had to be a liberal to want that Daffy! Takes a blockhead to admire something like that, lol.


26 posted on 01/15/2013 6:26:40 PM PST by potlatch (~)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Those are wonderful!


27 posted on 01/15/2013 7:14:08 PM PST by left that other site (AYCEE)
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To: KGeorge

It was a joy. Really.


28 posted on 01/15/2013 8:17:02 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

Agreed.


29 posted on 01/15/2013 8:44:37 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

bkmk


30 posted on 01/16/2013 12:38:17 AM PST by AllAmericanGirl44 (Fluck this adminstration of misfits.)
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To: potlatch

Hey! Good to “see” you! ;o)

I’ve been down with some crud, which means my mind has been “off”, though I don’t know if it’s been more “off” than usual. ;o)

I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner.


31 posted on 01/18/2013 11:55:28 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (Old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill.)
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To: dixiechick2000

No problem DC, every time we talk I owe you a letter, lol. Hope you’re feeling better. Winter depresses me.


32 posted on 01/19/2013 10:53:29 AM PST by potlatch
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