First Carvings and First Instructing

[Paul_Guraedy]

We are novices all the way, Jeannie as a woodcarver and me as an instructor. I am not sure that Jeannie feels entirely comfortable in posting photos of her first carving efforts. But, as her instructor I must say that I am very proud of her. I am finding that watching my teaching efforts result in a good carving is as much fun as completing one myself.. She is an excellent student and will go far in woodcarving. The Celtic knots are her first carvings, the dog was done entirely on her own (between carving sessions with me) and the dogwood blossoms are her first major carving.

Try and ignore the poor photography. These pics were taken in a hurry as we finished last evening's carving session. While Jeannie and I carve the rest of the folks play dominos. Interest in game playing quickly diminished as the smell of pizza cooking filled the room. Carving interest can survive aroma but not the calls to quit cutting wood and cut the pizza.

[pallin]

Paul, it is clear that Jeannie is off to a good start with your instruction. Since she has signed her carvings, I assume the dogwood blossoms are yours. Is that basswood with bark on?

[Paul_Guraedy]

The carvings are all Jeannie's. She was unsure, at first, about signing on the front of the carvings. I had to show her some of mine that had been signed before she followed suit. The photos I selected to post were the best ones I took. I failed to notice that the best of the dogwood blossoms was one of the unsigned ones.

It is a slab of basswood with the bark left on it.

[tucker1931]

Paul, her first works say much as to your ability as an instructor, job well done on both of you. Paul, next time your in Ontario Canada, PLEASE look me up, I could use some good tutalige myself. Your da man.
Cliff

[Scott Hagerty]

She is coming along great! It looks like you make a good pair.

Scott

[squbrigg]

I'm not sure who deserves the most congratulations, the teacher or the pupil. Great beginnings! Sounds like you're both having fun with it.

Bob

[TPaquette]

Wow she is doing fine, I myself have just got into woodcarving and am looking for places to start. I think that working with poplar is alright but from what i have read working with bass wood is much much better.

[tcb16]

Nice work from a good student, and a good teacher.

[whittling]

Looks better than my stuff .

[jeanniecarey]

Thanks to everyone for the great compliments and the encouragement. I couldn't have gotten this far without Paul's expertise. We're really having a good time with the carving sessions and I'm learning alot. He's always there to help me with any little problem or hesitation that I have in trying a new project. Next attempt will be carving in the round on a Santa Claus !!! :/