Well, I did OK at the fair. I received a blue ribbon (1st place) for my Inca mask, a red ribbon (2nd place) for my woodspirit walking stick and a white ribbon (3rd place) for my cowboy scene. I will post some pictures later on the walking stick. The mask and the cowboy scene are in previous posts. Check them out.
All in all, I did OK. I would have liked to have all blues, but considering the competition I was up against I think the results were good enough to live with. I did get beat by Mark Dettmer, a local woodcarver who does some fantastic things, and I tied with Gene Fuller, a local Caricature Carvers of America member, although I believe his was better than mine.
The Idaho Woodcarvers Guild will be demonstrating at Woodcraft on Saturday, September 13. Come on out between 9 and 4 to visit with us. We will be using Flexcut tools to demonstrate how to do some woodcarving. We would love to see you. And if you are interested in learning how to carve, we will have information on classes, instructions and how to join the club.
See you there.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Judging and competitions
Is it just me or does judging at events seem to be a hit or miss thing? I have seen blue ribbon winners at one event fail to even place in another. I am not one to be hung up on ribbons. Rather I am interested in improving. Without feedback, the only thing to rely on is the competition that beat you.
I have had entries that did not win at one competition, then win big at others. What gives?
I wish there was some sort of clearinghouse for judges, a place where those who wish to be judges could get consistent and thorough training to be qualified judges. This is the same complaint I have heard from competitors in all part of the country I have traveled to, or discussed with on Facebook or email.
Some years ago, a group of carvers got together and talked about hosting some judge training in the Pacific northwest. I received some materials in the forms of judges books, but if what I received was from this group, it needs to be more fleshed out.
I know as a competitor, I want to improve my skills. To do so, I (and others) need consistent feedback on how to get better. We need judges who can distinguish between carved items and plastic ones, between how scales on fish or snakes are supposed to run, whether colors are correct on animals, what a caricature actually is, and a variety of other distinguishing characteristics. I know as president of the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, and past president of the Idaho Artistry in Wood, that finding judges is not necessarily easy, since you have to find someone willing, who is competent enough to know what is supposed to be there and what isn't. We have been lucky to have highly respected judges at the Idaho Artistry in Wood competition, ones who are experts in their field, are qualified to weigh in on the carvings they are judging, and are darn good people to spend time with. Those include Vic Otto, Gene Fuller, Ted Smith, Larry Crist, Doug Harrison, Ryan Olsen, just to name a few in recent history. These guys know what they are doing and are highly respected as carvers themselves.
I don't mean to complain, but I have heard from dozens of competitors who get no feedback from judges, cannot understand why an entry receives different places in different events, and are mystified by the whole process. Everyone says "It is just the judges". But I personally feel we could do better as an art form. When the whims of different judges is allowed to cloud the issue, and their personal preferences takes precedence over the merits of the entries, something needs to be addressed.
WHEW!!! Now that I got that off my chest, let's get on to better things. The Idaho Woodcarvers Guild will be demonstrating at the Western Idaho Fair in August. If you are in the area during those times, stop by and say hello. We would love to see you come out and spend some time with us. Plus some of us will have entries in the carving competitions at the Fair. Maybe it is just county and state fairs where the judging is arbitrary. I know in talking to the supervisor of the carving competitions, it is always a chore to get judges.
I am going to enter a few new carvings at the Fair. Probably a walking stick, a new woodburning, and maybe a relief. We shall see what I can finish by then. I did finish a few busts and have a cowboy scene I might enter. Wish me luck.
Thanks for listening.
I have had entries that did not win at one competition, then win big at others. What gives?
I wish there was some sort of clearinghouse for judges, a place where those who wish to be judges could get consistent and thorough training to be qualified judges. This is the same complaint I have heard from competitors in all part of the country I have traveled to, or discussed with on Facebook or email.
Some years ago, a group of carvers got together and talked about hosting some judge training in the Pacific northwest. I received some materials in the forms of judges books, but if what I received was from this group, it needs to be more fleshed out.
I know as a competitor, I want to improve my skills. To do so, I (and others) need consistent feedback on how to get better. We need judges who can distinguish between carved items and plastic ones, between how scales on fish or snakes are supposed to run, whether colors are correct on animals, what a caricature actually is, and a variety of other distinguishing characteristics. I know as president of the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, and past president of the Idaho Artistry in Wood, that finding judges is not necessarily easy, since you have to find someone willing, who is competent enough to know what is supposed to be there and what isn't. We have been lucky to have highly respected judges at the Idaho Artistry in Wood competition, ones who are experts in their field, are qualified to weigh in on the carvings they are judging, and are darn good people to spend time with. Those include Vic Otto, Gene Fuller, Ted Smith, Larry Crist, Doug Harrison, Ryan Olsen, just to name a few in recent history. These guys know what they are doing and are highly respected as carvers themselves.
I don't mean to complain, but I have heard from dozens of competitors who get no feedback from judges, cannot understand why an entry receives different places in different events, and are mystified by the whole process. Everyone says "It is just the judges". But I personally feel we could do better as an art form. When the whims of different judges is allowed to cloud the issue, and their personal preferences takes precedence over the merits of the entries, something needs to be addressed.
WHEW!!! Now that I got that off my chest, let's get on to better things. The Idaho Woodcarvers Guild will be demonstrating at the Western Idaho Fair in August. If you are in the area during those times, stop by and say hello. We would love to see you come out and spend some time with us. Plus some of us will have entries in the carving competitions at the Fair. Maybe it is just county and state fairs where the judging is arbitrary. I know in talking to the supervisor of the carving competitions, it is always a chore to get judges.
I am going to enter a few new carvings at the Fair. Probably a walking stick, a new woodburning, and maybe a relief. We shall see what I can finish by then. I did finish a few busts and have a cowboy scene I might enter. Wish me luck.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Busy summer?!
It seems that every summer comes before I am ready for it, along with the list of things I need to get done during the summer. But then, by the time summer comes around, after a long school year, I certainly am ready for some down time.
So, I get busy with the honey-do projects, the carvings, the relaxing times, the vacation, the reflections I do to prepare for a new school year. Every year, at the end of the school year, I think over what took place in the year, decide what I want to change, and what I want to keep.
Then I get the house projects done, and start carving. This summer, I have not carved as much as I wanted to, but I did put some carvings in a shop in Idaho City, at a place called the Idaho City Trading Post. So far, only a bottlestopper has been sold. Not as successful as I had hoped to be, but maybe it will pick up. I put in an application to be a vendor at the Christmas Show at the Western Idaho Fairgrounds, on December 5, 6 and 7. Hopefully I will be more successful at that event.
Here are a few things I have carved this past few weeks.
I carved these baseball player busts as practice pieces for a set of busts I want to do. They are fun to carve, with unlimited possibilities for commissions.
Here is another of my fat-bellied cowboys. Still working to get them perfect.
I carved this alpenhorn blower from some pictures I found. My wife and I were both stationed in Germany, and enjoyed traveling to several countries. We enjoyed a great evening of entertainment in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in southern Germany, in the Alps, listening to local singing and entertainment. This horn blower was similar to one we saw that night.
Soon enough it will be time to go back to school. Hopefully, I can get ready for the Western Idaho Fair (August 15-24) and then the Christmas Show in December.
Thanks for looking!
So, I get busy with the honey-do projects, the carvings, the relaxing times, the vacation, the reflections I do to prepare for a new school year. Every year, at the end of the school year, I think over what took place in the year, decide what I want to change, and what I want to keep.
Then I get the house projects done, and start carving. This summer, I have not carved as much as I wanted to, but I did put some carvings in a shop in Idaho City, at a place called the Idaho City Trading Post. So far, only a bottlestopper has been sold. Not as successful as I had hoped to be, but maybe it will pick up. I put in an application to be a vendor at the Christmas Show at the Western Idaho Fairgrounds, on December 5, 6 and 7. Hopefully I will be more successful at that event.
Here are a few things I have carved this past few weeks.
I carved these baseball player busts as practice pieces for a set of busts I want to do. They are fun to carve, with unlimited possibilities for commissions.
Here is another of my fat-bellied cowboys. Still working to get them perfect.
I carved this alpenhorn blower from some pictures I found. My wife and I were both stationed in Germany, and enjoyed traveling to several countries. We enjoyed a great evening of entertainment in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in southern Germany, in the Alps, listening to local singing and entertainment. This horn blower was similar to one we saw that night.
Soon enough it will be time to go back to school. Hopefully, I can get ready for the Western Idaho Fair (August 15-24) and then the Christmas Show in December.
Thanks for looking!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Carvings for Sale
I have placed several carvings at the Idaho City Trading Post, in Idaho City. Lisa and Scott Jackson are highlighting local artists in their store and are willing to place their items in their store.
I put several of my western and animal themed carvings there, such as dogs, bears, cowboys, horses, clowns, and boots. The Idaho City Frontier Days festival is taking place the last weekend of June, so hopefully this will give me a chance to reach a new audience. I am looking forward to a great relationship with the Jacksons at the Idaho City Trading Post.
Stop in if you are in Idaho City. They are on Main Street, just across the street from the Visitor's Center, Donna's Place and near Calamity Jayne's restaurant.
Stop by and check them out at Idaho City Trading Post. These guys need a new home.
I put several of my western and animal themed carvings there, such as dogs, bears, cowboys, horses, clowns, and boots. The Idaho City Frontier Days festival is taking place the last weekend of June, so hopefully this will give me a chance to reach a new audience. I am looking forward to a great relationship with the Jacksons at the Idaho City Trading Post.
Stop in if you are in Idaho City. They are on Main Street, just across the street from the Visitor's Center, Donna's Place and near Calamity Jayne's restaurant.
Stop by and check them out at Idaho City Trading Post. These guys need a new home.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Tri-Cities Woodcarvers Club Rendezvous
We just returned from the Tri-Cities Woodcarvers Rendezvous in Kennewick, Washington. What a great time we had meeting new folks, seeing some old friends, sharing a laugh or two with a great group of folks. I was able to teach a class on Chinese letters and a class on feathers.
This letter says peace in Chinese. I did some others but for the class this was perfect.
This feather (about 8" long) was a great project for carvers. I had about 11 people in the class. I actually ran out of blanks. Several others wanted a blank, so I am going to ship some up to Ivan Brown along with some other things he wanted. The wrap is red, and the feather is white, with soft black and burnt umber for the upper tip. The face in the middle is done with burnt umber and soft black.
The folks there at Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland) Washington, are some of the nicest people you would ever want to spend time with. We had a great time there going to their Rendezvous. If you want a no-pressure carving event, with some great instructors and awesome projects, check out the Rendezvous, in early June. You will have a great time.
A special thanks to Bob Gough, Lanny, Jerry and Judith Dilley, Ivan Brown, Arlene Spaulding, Barb Pentecost, Everett Koonts, Dave Disselbrett, Terry Pauley, Ron and Linda Lunde, and too many others to mention. It is a great time and we will definitely be back. This is our 5th year attending and learning.
Thanks, TCWC!
This letter says peace in Chinese. I did some others but for the class this was perfect.
This feather (about 8" long) was a great project for carvers. I had about 11 people in the class. I actually ran out of blanks. Several others wanted a blank, so I am going to ship some up to Ivan Brown along with some other things he wanted. The wrap is red, and the feather is white, with soft black and burnt umber for the upper tip. The face in the middle is done with burnt umber and soft black.
The folks there at Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland) Washington, are some of the nicest people you would ever want to spend time with. We had a great time there going to their Rendezvous. If you want a no-pressure carving event, with some great instructors and awesome projects, check out the Rendezvous, in early June. You will have a great time.
A special thanks to Bob Gough, Lanny, Jerry and Judith Dilley, Ivan Brown, Arlene Spaulding, Barb Pentecost, Everett Koonts, Dave Disselbrett, Terry Pauley, Ron and Linda Lunde, and too many others to mention. It is a great time and we will definitely be back. This is our 5th year attending and learning.
Thanks, TCWC!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Disappointments
I had signed up for the annual Woodcarvers Jamboree here in Boise for the Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, due to low numbers, it was cancelled. I was really looking forward to taking a Dave Stetson class. He had two roughouts, a fiddler and an elf. I was going to try to tackle one of them then complete the other one on my one. Alas, it was not meant to be.
So I decided to check out the Northwest Carving Academy offerings in Ellensburg, Washington. Unfortunately, the only class I would take is a cigar store Indian, which is a full class. The only other ones I could take would be Debbe Edwards' panther class (and secretly turn it into a cougar - my favorite animal) or Chris Hammack's class on a pirate and other roughouts.
But I just can't justify spending $275-300 for a class, plus 5 nights of lodging, meals and gas (with it being $3.69 here in Boise).
So I will look at taking some classes on the Carvin online website, www.carvinonline.com ($19.95 per month, or $49.95 for 3 months). We shall see. There are some interesting instructors on the site. I have always wanted a class from Gerald Sears, so I will have to check them out.
Talk to you later.
So I decided to check out the Northwest Carving Academy offerings in Ellensburg, Washington. Unfortunately, the only class I would take is a cigar store Indian, which is a full class. The only other ones I could take would be Debbe Edwards' panther class (and secretly turn it into a cougar - my favorite animal) or Chris Hammack's class on a pirate and other roughouts.
But I just can't justify spending $275-300 for a class, plus 5 nights of lodging, meals and gas (with it being $3.69 here in Boise).
So I will look at taking some classes on the Carvin online website, www.carvinonline.com ($19.95 per month, or $49.95 for 3 months). We shall see. There are some interesting instructors on the site. I have always wanted a class from Gerald Sears, so I will have to check them out.
Talk to you later.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
A new scene
I finally finished a new scene I have been workign on. Whew! I did not know these scenes were so much work. I had never done a carving with 4 figures in it, along with all the details, such as a fence, rocks, grass, papers, etc. I am glad to have finally finished this one, and now it is on to the next one.
This carving, titled "No, thanks. I only buy 4-legged stock" was my take on a stockbroker trying to sell stock certificates to a cowboy rancher, who sees no sense in the whole adventure. He only buys stock that has 4 legs. Sounds like a good plan with Wall Street doing what it does these days. Here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy them.
This carving, titled "No, thanks. I only buy 4-legged stock" was my take on a stockbroker trying to sell stock certificates to a cowboy rancher, who sees no sense in the whole adventure. He only buys stock that has 4 legs. Sounds like a good plan with Wall Street doing what it does these days. Here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy them.
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