I'm looking for primitive themed art ideas to snazz up a primitive bow. I have a pale unstained elm Holmegaard that needs something, just not sure what. I'm thinking it's too wide for skins so I'd really like to see what others have done. Thanks.

I bet you could find python skins big enough for Holmey  

Your name or a motto sort of thing ("Eat at Ole's", Poul Was Here"), in Elder Futhark norse runes, done with black ink (Sharpie) and then a coat of "varnish".

Google "Elder Futhark" to see the runes I mean.

From Pat B in the 2012 bow swap, I'm the lucky recipient of this beauty!! Hope Pat doesn't mind me showing it off!  

 kennym's bow from Pat B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Python skin will work,
but I second the rune idea with gusto, heck I'm a Northman with tattoos of runes and I totally blanked on that one!  Doh!...carve them large enough and close enough together that it becomes a pattern...would look absolutely wicked!

I bought this bow because I'm Danish so Runes sounds like it might be the ticket. But carving on the back side of a selfbow? I think not my friend...  

This bow has a bit of color to it.

Paul, you don't need to "carve" deep, more like "scratch"...just superficially/ very shallow, just enough to take a stain...I would think this wouldn't hurt the bow?

You can also use india ink pen just on the surface, draw them on and then just seal it with something like Tru-oil or similar.  

Def consider the 'bold and big' rune idea where they all kinda run together in a pattern, man I can just picture it!  Crazy lookin!

I don't know Chuck, I once brought up the idea of using a wood burner the same way, basically a scratch on the surface and the bowyers dog piled me so I'm kinda leery about anything but light sanding when it comes to the back side. Liking the flowing rune/Viking art idea though...

Yeah maybe you're right.  I'll admit I'm not a selfbow expert..don't know if even "scratching" would violate the growth rings enough to blow it up.  In this case the artist's ink pens would work without causing damage...

Heck no, Kenny. I'm pleased you posted it. I was gonna if you didn't.    

Brad smith had a rawhide backed bow with carvings.  Man that was a stunning piece!   It was at one point on the cover of pa or tbm, can't remember which off hand.

Did a quick search here's some of Brads work.   Scroll down you won't miss it.

It's penn/ink over hide.  Not carved/ stamped like I originally thought.

http://www.krackow.com/modern.html

Here is one I did a few years ago with leopard skin tissue paper...


This one is backed with choke cherry bark with the lichens and mosses still on it...


This bow is my copy of Jay Massey's Medicine Bow. Craft paint over rawhide...


This is leopard print tissue paper over rawhide...


this is giraffe skin pattern tissue paper...

Great stuff guys!