Well the Idaho Artistry in Wood Show has coem and gone for another year. Only 11 months until the next one. I better get carving.

     This is the "trophy" I won for winning the Rogue Carvers 5-Section Challenge, within our Idaho Woodcarvers Guild club. Not a bad prize. I love it.

This little guy was carved in a Ryan Olsen class. Ryan was preparing for the CCA Carve-in in New York in May, and was going to do some one day classes. These will be great for that.

This guy was a practice piece for a scene I am doing. Hid beer belly is not exactly what I was looking to do, but it is not bad. I did a better job on the other one, and am looking forward to finishing the scene.

This is my first Native American bust. After getting some much needed advice from my good friend and club member, Gene Fuller, it came out better than I had anticipated. I like doing these types of carvings and look forward to many more. 

     So after doing pretty well at the Idaho Artistry in Wood Show (13 entries, 13 ribbons) I am looking forward to entering a few more shows this year, just to see where I am. Am I ready for the big time, and enter the CCA competition, the Congress in Maquoketa, Iowa, or the Artistry in Wood Show in Dayton, Ohio? I won't know until I enter and compete. 

     For now, since I won more than 5 blue ribbons in the IAW Show here in Boise, I must compete in the Open/Advanced division. This was my 4th show, and I always told myself that I would/should be in the Open/Advanced division within 5 years. Looks like I have to do it. There is some stiff competition, just within the valley here. Steve Dunham is in that category, and his carving entry in our 2013 show won the CCA competition last year. I have to compete with him. Can I do it? I won't know until I try.

     I better get carvin!