I learned a trick to keep the carving from checking when I started turn bowls from green wood. When I am done for the day, I put the green shaving in a paper bag and put the bag over the end of the carving. Tie it in place and twist the bag around so that most of the shavings are pressed against the carved face. It will slow the drying out. Also I have a few carvings that I call crackheads. They get cracked on purpose. I can carve the green wood faster if I use a mallet, so when I get done and decide where I want the crack to be in the wood, I give the whole thing a coat of poly, but don't put any where the crack will be. Just leave an empty streak, and it will crack there. From the look on the face, I think you have been looking at some carvings by Nancy Tuttle. Keep going, we need more pics.