Can anyone relate to these feelings?

[jillsy]

I've been going nuts and knowing how nuts some of you are, was wondering if you could relate.

As some of you know, I generally carve Santas and have successfully sold some minis on Ebay. OK, that's fine and as an amateur, I've been content. But I want to be more than content!

Some people have told me that I've got my own unique style and that they'd be able to pick mine out in a group. But, I don't know what this style is! To me, I just carve what I'm able to do.

I've got this burning in me to carve something that would invoke a special feeling. I thought I could accomplish this through Santa carvings, but I'm so stuck on ideas.

So, I wrote down a long list of carvers and different artists that I really admire. The list basically consisted of what I liked about their work and why. Doing this helped me find a consistency of what drew me to their work.

I think what it comes down to is I'd love to carve something that would provide feelings of old-fashion simplicity and gentleness I guess would be the right word. I love the colonial era, the clothing, colors, patterns, etc. and I love the warmth of the hearth and feelings of strong family units.

Now, how in the world can I convey all this in a carving?! I think I started with Santa because he seems to convey all the goodness and magic that many people yearn for. Although I don't own any, the Byers Choice caroloers also seem to convey these feelings of a gentler time.

I'm not even sure why I'm writing this to you all. I can't imagine there's any advice anyone can give me. Maybe I'm just hoping some of you can relate to what I'm trying to explain in a simple posting! Has anyone experienced this kind of frustration? My mind's full of feelings I'd love to convey in a carving, but I'm so.....stuck. Can anyone relate??

Jillsy

[AlArchie]

Jilsy, that nostalgic draw is easy to relate to but sometimes hard to respond to. Way in the back of my mind I see loggers and miners.....those people who shaped and populated the UP before and through my time. I'd like to incorporate the spirit of adventure and need that drove these men to the woods and into the earth. Add to those the trappers, Lake Superior fishermen, railroad workers and quarrymen. Trouble is, I really haven't even approached the skills of carving human form, and do I want to proceed along the lines of strong caracature like Lynn has done for his western presentations, or do I want to look toward more realistic material. My family has been strongly involved in all these occupations and they keep drawing my interest to represent them in some way. Part of the trouble is I enjoy doing the aquatics and am very unsure of jumping off into another field that I don't even undersand the basics of.

Yep, guess I can relate!

Hope you find your footing, and maybe someday I will, too.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

lets see, color, warmth, hearth.....how about all of the above, stand santa in front of a fireplace, wrapped in a quilt of many colors

[Thor]

"I've got this burning in me to carve something that would invoke a special feeling. "

Of course, a lot of us can relate, Jillsy. It sounds like you have so many ideas in your head that they are bottled up and not organized enough to come out. I feel sure that you will get them clear in your head soon. It sounds like you need a change of location, or routine that will help you start to see clear images that express your passions. They come to you when your not distracted, and when you can think with no interuptions sometimes.

I get images while I'm driving often. That's probably not a good thing, but it's true.

I do think you have a unique style, and that the style came easily to you. To apply the techniques and style to communication is "what's next". That's pretty exciting. You'll get it, and soon too.
Thor

[Ron Davidson]

I think we all go through these periods of what else they could do to be different. I think that's why I have so many unfinished projects. I don't consider myself a very good carver of things like caricatures and things in the round. To me they are or seem harder to do by touch. But on the other hand I would like to be better. I was thinking last night when too cold in the garage to carve I would try and carve in the basement just doing a carving in the round. I guess you never get better unless you try. I wish I could get them to be as good as Lynn's also but Like Jillsy said everyone has their own style. I also ordered one of the books on the scratch and dent sale on carving dragons so that will be different. The only thing that screws me up is the pictures my screen reader don't describe them so I have to guess. But I am looking forward to the challenge.
Ron

[squbrigg]

My dear Jillsy,

Welcome to the work and life of a carver! Your life has been altered in such a way that you have discovered the power that you hold within yourself. You have discovered through your beginning attempts, on up through your skill building, a wonderous variety of mediums and styles of carving that are out there. You have discovered that there is a way to express yourself other than verbally, that leaves a lasting impression on people and satisfies something within yourself that you have difficulty defining. Something more tangable than mere words, that releases emotions.

You are having difficulty deceiding because you are discovering that your possibilities are unlimited and that idea can be confusing. You are discovering your passion ..... you just need to focus it. You are making the transition from mechanical reproduction of others ideas, to artist, developing your own style and ideas.

To fully develope your style, you may consider some professional art classes, at a university. They are the experts, though some may disagree, the formal training they offer is in interperting the feelings you are experiencing and teaching you to understand them and build on them.

Alternately..... you can discover through trial and error, that which moves you. I discovered my passion early in life, and while I have dabbled in many other mediums, I consistantly return to what makes me tick. The dabbling make me a better ship modeller.

Am I close?

Accept it girl, you are becoming an artist.

Bob

[Carving_Celtic]

Jillsy,
I can totally relate....I wrote the note below to a friend while back. Perhaps we should ask ourselves one Question......How Can I set myself apart?
Bernie

Hello Bernadette,

I have come to believe function must accompany form in my work. For years I struggled trying to find a way to develop interest in my Wood Carvings. Celtic form by itself is simply beautiful, no doubt. The Arcs and Lines, the Images & Colors have inspired me for eighteen years now. The study of the history of any civilization is a wonderful calling. To act on these studies to create new forms and visually appealing works are important to me.

I am not into simply creating a form to hang on a wall although there is a lot of wonderful things to be said about Celtic woodcarvers who do.

Mine must accompany function. i.e. celtic mantle clock with a claddagh, Celtic themed wine rack or a Religious themed Celtic High Cross. To me there is so much to be said about the ability to interact with a Carving, no matter how insignificant the level of that interaction may seem.

So many things speak to our Irish Heritage Bernadette; Parades, Pubs & Music, Jewelry, Churches, Travel and the list goes on and on. But to me, things that do not expand and evolve stagnate.

We must constantly be inspired like Musicians, ever expanding and trying to set ourselves apart.

Best Regards,
Bernie Fay

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

"I get images while I'm driving often. That's probably not a good thing, but it's true. "



I thought you quit smokin' that stuff? lol And Jillsy, a personal style is not something you can force....its something that comes after awhile, sometimes years....but its automatic, and I don't think I can describe it, its like Terri Embry Santas, you look at it and know who did it, like Lynn doughty's, you know right off whose work it is......don't worry about, just keep carving, your style will begine to show itself. Actually, if you think about it, I have been painting for many years and carving for quite a few, and I don't have a style, and in my case I think maybe its because I don't do one particular subject, I hop around carving all kinds of things....so style? "I ain't got no style"!

[jillsy]

You are all so great! You wouldn't believe the burden that was just lifted from my shoulders just reading your postings. What a relief to know others can relate - and you all did such a great job describing it. That was one of the hardest postings I ever wrote!

Basically, we're all creating tangible pieces of art from abstract ideas and feelings - no easy task!

Thank you so much for replying to this post. I felt like jumping out of my skin!

Hey - looks like I made it to "Senior Member" with this posting. Couldn't have done it without you!!

Jillsy

[Kenny_S]

I think that if I carve one thing continuely, I would create a style and maybe get good. Like Hi Ho, I carved different things in different woods and bark. I guess my style is I carve what I want, Good, Bad or indifferent. But then I don't worry about it.
Maybe my style is just to have fun and enjoy carving.