Who Are Your Favorite Carvers ?

Iowa Carver · #1 04-26-2008, 03:23 PM

Maybe this has been done a few times here and sorry if it has. As a beginner I have been soaking up all the carving as I can, buying books and studying the different styles etc. Some are way out of my reach as a beginner but I enjoy reading about their styles etc. I would like to hear who your influences and favorites are.

Who are your favorite carvers? I won't hold you two only one, that is tough as I am sure many of you are influenced by several. But who are they? I will give you mine here...

I think overall I have 3 favorite of the published carvers. My favorite is Harold Enlow. I read his books which by the way are some of the cheapest books you can buy and while not flashy are just chuck full of great projects that even beginners can work on. There was a recent discussion on one of the threads discussing action and movement and facial expression. I think Enlow from what I can see is a master at providing both in a carving and the carvings tell a story without having to guess. Just my observations. I also love what Tom Wolfe does with animals. Tom Wolfe in my opinion does to animals what Enlow does to figure caricatures.

Mike Shipley is a favorite of the modern carvers. I just like his style. Not as much movement in his carvings like Enlow but I have to think Enlow was an influence on him.

I also like Jack Price's miniatures. Not real complicated and not a lot of action in them but they are simple and make you smile.

Your turn!

Corey

wood-whittler · #2 04-26-2008, 03:35 PM

corey,

i have studied a bunch of the caricature carvers but i think the three that have inspired me the most are:

pete leclair-- love his style and technique as it is easy to follow and you can do alot with it.

the bishops-- have learned alot from both phil and vicki about details. their take on details really make a carving sing and stand out.

mitchell cartledge-- he and i started about the same time and have become good freinds, i really like his miniatures and his style is one he has developed into his own, he has helped me abunch and has been a good freind to me and my family.

that is my three there are more but those are the main ones that have helped me be the carver i am today.

bart

Mark N. Akers · #3 04-26-2008, 03:35 PM

I would have to say Phil and Vicki Bishop seem to have a real passion for carving and teaching,they would be one of my tops,I also like Pete LeClair's teaching method,so I would say I have 2 favorites.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #4 04-26-2008, 03:51 PM

I like a number of them.....Nancy Goff's Santas and other carvings are outstanding..... I like Phil and Vicki Bishops carvings......I like Lynn Doherty's carvings a whole lot! Geez....this could go on and on....how about Marv Kaisersatt.....! OOPS..almost forgot our own Fred Zadavil!! A real master!

Kenny_S · #5 04-26-2008, 04:37 PM

HMMMM, so many to choose from. Right now, Phil and Vicki Bishop, Lynn Doughty, Mark Akers, Jon Nelson,Stu Martin, Gerald Sears, Harold Enlow, and list keeps growing.

gene messer · #6 04-27-2008, 12:19 AM

Andy Anderson , Harley Refsal , C.O. Trygg .. Even though only one is alive today ,, they were all my inspiration for doing flat plane carving ..

For doing minatures .. Jack Price for sure ..

Gene

bullshipper · #7 04-27-2008, 02:49 AM

I would have to say Pete Leclair, Marv Kaisersatt, Harold Enlow ( I love his sense of humor!! ) Lynn Doughty, Phil and Vicki Bishop, Floyd Radigan, Fred Coglow, Neil Cox,Gary Falen,Pete Ortel, Dave Stetson. ( okay now breath!!!) All joking aside,They have been a big influence on my carving to date My hats off to these modern day pioneers,who continue to inspire me.

Lonnie

JIM QUILICI · #8 04-27-2008, 05:31 PM

You know I'm like a kid in a candy store....every time I see Phil and Vicky bishops carving s I want to carve their style....I'm also a big fan of Lynn Doughty and appreciate the way he shows us how he carves his stuff. takes time to take pictures and gives good instructions.... Then the guy who got me started by his 3 books and that is old Pete Le Clair......I like old Marv ...but have not really tried to hard to carve his style its a completely different style than I carve (the way he forms his eyes and mouths) guess I got too much of old Pete stuck in my head...lol
Jim

Plain_Ol_Ed · #9 04-27-2008, 05:58 PM

All of the above are great and have something to offer. But, my favorite carver has not been mentioned yet. I like him not so much because he's a great carver, which he is, but for the things he does for fellow carvers. You don't hear about it, because he never talks about it. There's a lot more to him than knives and tools and wood. Y'all know him, Rick Ferry.

JIM QUILICI · #10 04-27-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plain_Ol_Ed

my favorite carver has not been mentioned yet. I like him not so much because he's a great carver, which he is, but for the things he does for fellow carvers. You don't hear about it, because he never talks about it. There's a lot more to him than knives and tools and wood. Y'all know him, Rick Ferry.

You my friend are 100% right ........we will never know how many people he has helped.....Hope we hear from him on this board more after he retires ...... from his day job.......I think at end of the year......if they not go on strike...... if he is not one of your favorites ............you don't know him.
Jim