Pete LeClair's Class in Townsend, TN

[WoodcarverDave]

Hello Againstthegrain,

It was great to meet you this weekend. You did a great job, especially for someone who doesn't do caricatures much. Your skills are better than you think. Gary Falin is giving a class there in Dec. He is a great teacher also. Maybe I'll see you there.

[Anthony Filetti]

Great job. I had my first class with him this fall as well and I sure did learn a lot. This is one instructor you get your moneys worth from just in reference material!!

To get a taste of what other instructors are out there I would recommend you going to the Renegade Roundup held in Lebanon, TN in march. (I've included the link below) At the roundup you will get a sampling of many instructors(including Gary Falin) for a single price. It should be stated that since you will only be spending a day with each instructor you will most likely not complete a carving with each instructor, but would most likely get a good feeling about what each has to offer and pick up a few good tidbits along the way.

Renegade Brochure

Another thing to consider is attending the show held in Dayton in November. It would appear that a large number of Caricature carvers from the board as well as CCA members will be in attendance for this event. The cost for the event (Dayton Carvers - Dayton Carvers Guild Artistry In Wood) is $10 for both days and the room rate at the Airport Hotel was only $55 a nite. This event is well attended and seems to be growing.

Attending one or both of these events should provide you with a lot of information for a reasonable price. Hope this helps.

[againstthegrain]

Dave, it was great to meet you too.

Tony, thanks for the information. Does this event sell out quickly?

[Anthony Filetti]

Most carving classes do sell out quickly...and the carvers at this roundup are quite popular.

[cedarshavings]

I also went to the class and had a great time. I learned so much stuff in those three days that would have taken me years on my on and not to mention the frustrations I saved myself. Pete is a great guy and makes you feel like his class is just for you.
It was great meeting the folks from the board here and putting a face to the screen names. I sat next to Sam (Sccarnes), a great neighbor to have in class and a funny guy and now a friend. If you ever take one of these classes and sit next to "Againstthegrain", as soon as Pete says "does anyone want me to look at their carving?"....LOOK OUT!!!! You might catch a left cross or get pushed out of your chair and just hope she threw her knife down before getting her carving to Pete. She was also a great class neighbor and it was great to meet her. Who else could make woodcarving a contact sport?
Her picture of her carving didn't really do her justice, she was really good.

[againstthegrain]

I'm just not afraid to admit to my short comings when it comes to carving skills...and I didn't want to make an irreparable mistake.

And I always tried to remember to put the knife down before passing the carving to Pete for inspection. That one time I cut you was an accident...not because you made fun of me.

Anyway...Get some faster reflexes!