Misplaced knife strokes may lead to surprises

[Ezzylearner]

Recently my wife asked me to carve a couple of additional ornaments for our Christmas tree, if I could. Being a beginner I thought, "Well, I could carve something that resemble or may pass off as Santa". Did the first (something like the one shown on the left of the attached thumbnail), but on doing the second one I lost focus that resulted in a few misplaced knife strokes - Santa's mustache looked funny - it looked even awful after my attempt to make some correction. Further attempts made the mustache and beard looked like a layered cake - so the carving was about to head for the waste basket when I decided not to give up. The mustache went off and after some more knife strokes surprise, surprise, the carving ended up as shown on the right of said thumbnail. No big deal in its looks but it has got more facial features and to me looks better than the earlier one I'd carved. Most importantly I learned to have fun instead of disappointment, not to give up, and even if its fit for the waste basket I would've had a good laugh over it. Anyone out there who's misplaced cutting strokes have turned his/her carving into a surprise or masterpiece?

[dany meullins]

You have a good spirit and two nices santas.

I like to include chaos in my work. When we're not a top rated technician (like me), we have to accept the accident. Accidents may bring some nice surprises too (like in all domains of life). Eventually, through accidents, some deep parts of our mind, or eventually, even the godness thing, are including themeselves in our projects (or life, or whatever you want).

Well, accident is life, ans it is important to accept, and mind about it - and you made it.

In France, we have an expression : "l'enfance de l'art" (the childhood of art). Something fresh, eventually naïve, whish is growing freely.

Well, it was the philosophical minute.

Let's go carving !

[gtech]

It happened to many of us and that's how we learn. You would be surprised to see what I ended up with sometimes.

Keep carving,

Gilles

[uvawyo]

Good correction, and that is what makes this fun

[Timberwolf]

I like your attitude. Instead of just giving up, you came up with a great save.

I've found that I tend to be too much of a perfectionist. What we see is a 'flawed' carving, most recipients would treasure forever.

Nice job.

[Dagwood]

Carver Tom Wolf told me once.... "you know there is always another face behind the one you are carving"... this has always made me think... I think now he was telling me dont be affriad to remove wood. dont be affraid to mess up. dont be affraid to carve. we all learn from our mistakes. and sometimes in your case we have a happy suprise at the end. Happy Carving and Good luck

[Dan S]

That is called "modifying the pattern". Like you said when it works it saves the carving. If not you have designer firewood. If I could make a suggestion though, carve deeper.

Take care,
Dan

[kdispoto]

When I made mistakes on my earlier Santas - I'd paint them something other than red and call them elves.

[gene-messer]

Misplaced .. hardly .. experimenation carving .. you did good

Gene