Here are my 2nd and 3rd attempts at carving a nickel. I did not stand on formality, but took a fun and quick approach to carving these. I hope you enjoy, I know I did.
I like your fearless approach to making something different. The one on the left made me laugh, it hit me funny. I also like your background cuts, they make the image pop out, and they add to the humor of the piece. These nickels are like cartoons.
I definitely like the first one, the cuts really enhance this one, but Tom's " fearless " comment really describes your style. Reminds me of Picasso as well, someone else who thought to be different. We do need different drummers after all.
As I told you on Ebay - Welcome aboard. Your carvings are well recieved. You have a style that is not the same old stuff. Go with it, have fun with it. I like it. It's fresh and fun.
Johnny S. I really love your style, someday soon I would like to talk to you about maybe cutting one of those on a really old folding knife pattern that I make, that face would look right at home on an old Sleeveboard Jack or an old remington pattern. This is the most fitting face that I have seen so far for an old antique pattern from 1917 on to about the 40's, lets talk later after the blade and guild shows this year.