[Paul_Guraedy]

My friend, Steve, and I had arrived at Creede, set up our rigs and decided to spend the afternoon on carvings that we had brought from home. My neighbor came by, watched a while, and said, "I think I would like to try that." I have heard this a lot and it usually amounts to a passing interest. But Mark Hebert (pronounced "A Bear", another Cajun), stayed around and started asking a lot of technical questions.

Steve had brought along some simple Christmas ornament cut outs that we sell for our club with the proceeds going to the Children's Miracle Network. Mark was given a snowman, Steve and I offered a few simple guidelines and loaned him some of our extra knives and gouges.

Mark carved with us for the next few hours, went to his campsite and the last I saw of him (hours later) was still carving. The next morning he showed us a snowman that was, for someone just starting, very well carved. Mark said he would go over during registration and see about a beginners class. It was overfull; but, Mark turned on the Cajun charm and talked himself in anyway.

The first day was just learning to make cuts and handle tools. The second day Mark tried to carve a thumb that had to be turned into a finger; but, still looked pretty good. No more beginners classes available and Mark was hooked. He managed to get into a deep relief class and for the next two days carved (and finished) a covered bridge with quality equaling someone who had been carving for several years. The next three days he carved, and finished, a second deep relief with a scene of a cabin, boat, trees, and clouds.

It had been 8 days since Steve and I showed Mark how to hold a carving knife and gouge. I would have been satisfied to call either of these relief carvings my own. There were improvements that could have been made; but, nothing that detracted from the quality of the work accomplished.

I am sending Mark information on the WCI forum and hope that he will join us. Anyone with this ability will certainly be an asset!

[Tom H]

Paul, Great story! Don't know how old this fellow is, but hopefully has lots of years of carving enjoyment before him. I regularly eat breakfast with a bunch of local fellows at a small diner down the road. They all know I am trying to learn to carve. One of the younger guys (58) just recently said he could not wait until he was old enough to retire so he could take up carving. I told him, "why the he__ wait! there is not enough time left as it is" "What a waste of time, start right now!" I waited until I was 66. I wish I had started much, much younger.....I think there are too many people that think carving is an activity for old retired folk. Tom H

[Paul_Guraedy]

Interesting observation Tom, especially

One of the younger guys (58) just recently said he could not wait until he was old enough to retire so he could take up carving.

Mark is younger than you and I; but, still retired.

While carving at Creede a young (twenties) man watched me carving the moose antler, asked a few questions and commented: "I would like to learn to carve; but, it looks like this is a dying hobby." Surprised by the remark, I asked him what he meant. He said that he had been to several shows and the carvers were mainly old men.

I looked around and had to admit that even though we did have some ladies carving also, they weren't any younger than the men. I thought about the other seminars I had attended and realized that his perception had a valid basis.

Luckily, he continued to watch my carving while I thought it over and finally answered that I did not think so. It was just that us "old" folks had the time and freedom to attend sessions like Creede. I assured him that younger carvers were coming along and would be stepping in to replace us as we died off. But, they won't be any younger than this group when they do so and the perception will probably always be there that this is a hobby for old folks.

I told him not to worry someone would always be there to help start the next generation, to find himself a club, a local carver, or just get a book and get started and that he could find help on line through the WCI forum.

I would have liked to have had time to explain the advances in numbers, skills, techniques and equipment since I took up the hobby in 1980. But, he moved on to watch and talk to other carvers.

Maybe both he and Mark will be joining us.

[captgrant88]

not all carvers are retired...im only 25, and know manys others around my age who carve as well. yes i agree i would love to have more time to persue the craft but i do my best to make time. sounds like a great seminar. wish i was there!
this is a great craft, just wish i started earlier.