Are any of you Intimidated

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi Gang,
I was just wandering thru the quilt square thread and got to thinking that what I was thinking would be a good topic of discussion.
I look thru that thread and I am intimidated by what I see. I also notice that there are only a few squares on there by the professionals of the woodburning world. I am thinking of doing one and I am thinking by what I see here there is no way I am putting mine on this thread because it wont measure up. I was wondering if you were the same as I am? I always look forward to the articles and issues of WCI and always look in awe of the accomplishments of the artists I see there. I also go to thinking how many projects that are listed in every magazine have I tried, (I have every issue of WCI) The answer is none. Every magazine I get I always say "Oh I have to try that", but I never do. I have mentioned before about stepping out of our comfort zone and we are all reluctant to do it. I do tree carvings and sometimes complete them in one day an people are in awe of what I do and the short time it takes me to do them. I now realize that it the more you do something the easier it gets. Do it enough times and you could do it blindfolded. I just thought it would make a good subject for discussion and if I felt that way that maybe a lot of other carvers would be in the same boat.
Colin

[JIM QUILICI]

Colin,
I've seen your work and it aint too shabby, I bet some of those bird carvers or caricature carvers would be intimidated by your work. do what you do best . if you aint what you is , or you is what you aint . then you aint what you is , and you is what you aint. If your having fun doing what you do, keep doing what you do for fun.

Just old Jim

[jamesfa]

colin i am intimidated every time i log on to the board or visit the carvers galeries,by all the fine pieces that have been posted,i'm sure every one knows who they are.

i will not try wood burning or relief carving as my limited talents only go so far,but as i carve for my own pleasure i guess i will continue to butcher as many pieces of wood as i have time for.

Frank

[Kenny_S]

Colin, I mirror Frank's post!

I am intimidated by every one's carvings. being self taught and no fromal training in the art or carving, I find I too say the same thing also. I will try this or that like carving a large wood spirit in a tree. But haven't! Yes, wood burning is another area and I have a Dial-a Temp and works great, but the handler doesn't.
Yep, Intimidated by many here for sure.
I just keep at it and say, "One of these days".
I will say this, all the tips, pointers, what have you from everyone on this board has improved my skills in carving.
Great topic Colin.

Intimidated....No......Challenged....YES!

I've been carving for roughly four years and I see many, many carving on this board that I feel are much better than what I presently can do. With that said though, I emphasize, presently can do, because I take carving as a challenge to better myself with every next carving attempted.

The change is modest or slightly better with each carving, but its moving forward and getting to learn how to carve better. There is so much to learn, sharpe tools, clean cuts, proportions, painting, expressions, etc., etc.

Furthermore, I believe, there is never really a bad carving done, if its done to thats persons best ability at that time. We all can see progress in our own works, go back and look at your first two carvings ever done, compare them to todays work, you'll see how you've changed, challenge yourself.

Release the giant from within, show your carving pics, you'll be surprised at how well they will be received by the rest of the group, and besides, you have something we can all learn from too, and my goal is to continue learning more and more.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Just my two cents worth on such a beautiful topic, thanks Colin for getting it released from your mind.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Colin
nobody should be intimidated who is as creative as this group of carvers here on this board. Challenged YES as Coffeeman said but certainly not intimidated,
everybody on this board has something to offer and if it is just how to use old socks :-) :-) When ever I visit here I always go home with some kind of a new trick I have learned here, so please don't ever think that way, you of all people.Good topic Colin
Alice

[Goody]

I have been following it and want to join in but this is my busy time of the year. I need to carve every Santa I possibly can. I Don't feel intimidated but always like to step up to the challenge. It's what makes better carvers out of us all. I think the challenge to aspire to the level of other carvers is one of the first steps we take to improve ourselves. Then we move on to our own confidence levels and start doing our own patterns and come up with our own carving styles. Everytime Chip Chats or WCI comes in the mail I ohh and ahh and think someday I will be able to carve like that. If I ever get to the point that I feel there there is nothing else to learn about wood carving I will give all my carving tools away. I would just like to live long enough to learn it all, thats what Intimidates me.
If the project goes until after Christmas I could possibly do a block and would like to volunteer to assemble the quilt as I have the equipment and a place to do it.
Goody

[Butch_Speer]

Colin,
I've got agree with Coffeeman & Goody. Really good advice.

[Hisart]

I gotta agree with the Coffeeman ...

Originally Posted by Coffeeman

Intimidated....No......Challenged....YES!

In all the years I've been tackling challenges the only one that I haven't beaten is ... (cough, cough, mumble) ... sharpening! There I said it. I haven't YET figured it out. I just ordered a book I saw in the sharpening thread and am waiting eagerly for it.
I WILL PREVAIL!!!Star Wars

Originally Posted by Coffeeman

Intimidated....No......Challenged....YES!

Colin, I know you could whoop it in no time, you can't fool me, I've seen your work! The talent is in there!

[Kenny_S]

Bill, That Giant within me has thrown many of BAD carvings in the burn pile.

I do learn from them on what not to do to the next one. Problem is new mistakes.
Anyway, Thanks for your post. I will have to remember your words.