you can integrate red, white, and blue into the shield of this American eagle ice sculpture for a particularly striking effect.
updated 6/25/23 & 7/3/23 to mostly fix all the broken links and enhance seo
about my American eagle ice sculpture design
This American eagle ice sculpture design was originally published in an ice sculpting newsletter shortly after the 9/11 attacks. It’s also the subject of a sculpting series that I hope to restore soon to the new iss site. Here’s the text from the original design:
“American Eagle” by Dawson List of New Orleans, LA
As I write this, you can’t find an American Flag at the store; they’re all sold out. In the wake of the tragedies, Americans are truly united! We thought it would be appropriate to add a patriotic design to the newsletter this month. Apparently, other NICA members feel the same way. After we had worked up this design, member Robert Patalano submitted a surprisingly similar version as well. Our apologies that we couldn’t use his design also.
This sculpture is created from a single block split into two five inch thick slabs. It’s recommended that you cut out the base first and then assemble the sculpture on top of it. The dotted lines indicate that you shouldn’t cut away too much of the top piece until it’s attached to the body. Be sure that the central weld is solid across its entire length or you might lose a wing. In addition, don’t cut away the spaces between the arrows or they’ll be too delicate and don’t forget to snowfill the white stars and stripes on the shield.
this American Eagle ice sculpture design was adapted from the bald eagle on the Great Seal.
details about the design
In the ”American Eagle“ sculpting sequence (probably not reposted yet), you’ll notice that the shield is in color. This is accomplished by sandwiching colored acetate strips in between the main sculpture and a shield-shaped piece of ice that is added after the strips have been carefully applied to the ice. This should be done while the carving is lying on its back. Also, the design above indicates that the top of the carving is to be added as one piece while the sequence shows it being attached in three pieces: the head and each wing. Either way works, depending on your welding skill.
a very simplified side view of the American eagle ice sculpture’s structure; and actually this simplified version doesn’t show the shield plate that’s likely welded on the front.
remembering 9/11
9/11 was one of those days where you’ll never forget where you were. NICA was holding one of its first tradeshows in Memphis when the attacks occurred and obviously the tradeshow was cut short because no one could think about anything else. Many NICA members had to find innovative ways home after the airports were shut down in the wake of the attacks. I put together this design as sort of my (very minor) contribution to the wave of patriotism that washed over the country in the days after 9/11.
the colored acetate frozen inside the eagle’s shield enhances the sculpture significantly.
additional info
If you have any questions about my American eagle ice sculpture design, email me or comment below. (It might not let you though if it’s been a while.) If you would like to use this ice sculpture design or any other design on this site, please check the design usage guidelines. The design collection page lists designs on the site.
You might also find photos and info from this entry on the ice sculpting secrets facebook page and you can comment there as well as below. Thanks!
comment from the original post
The following comment was on the original blog entry. After some technical difficulties etc., the blog was reconstructed, and this was the only way to keep the original comments. Unfortunately, the hyperlinks from the original comments are gone in some cases. You can add your own new comments at the bottom.
Anonymous
Hello, my name is Terry, and I love the art work you guys are doing. I know a guy very well that is the best Ice Carver in the whole state of Arkansas. He can carve you if he wonted to what are some tip that I can give him to pursue his talent. When I say he is one of the best please believe that. I enjoy every carving on this list.
Saturday, December 29, 2007 – 06:54 PM
