Carver's block...

[scooter]

Over the last couple of weeks I've been suffering from carver's block. I'll sit at my table, and just pick at the 3 or 4 half-finished projects I've got going on, without really making any progress. I don't want to start anything new at this point (I don't like having a lot of unfinished pieces kicking about), and even if I did, I'm at a loss about _what_ to carve. I've got all these beautiful pieces of wood just waiting to be carved on. But I have no inspiration. I can't find my muse (yes, I looked behind the couch cushions). It's killing me, 'cause all this time I spend looking at the television or whatnot, could be spent making some serious woodchips. When I do force myself to sit at my bench, nothing happens. Normally, I'm at my bench at least a couple hours per night, and am cranking out carvings like there's no tomorrow.

To top it all off, I've got 4 new Drake tools that I just bought, sitting there, mocking me, daring me to use them.

I know this will pass, but it seems like the more I dwell on it, and the more I _force_ myself to carve, just makes me withdraw from the creative process.

I know that this is probably normal, and it's something I'll bet most everyone has experienced, but I can't wait for a breakthrough to hit me. What have y'all done in this situation? Shall I just put on the tea kettle and wait it out? Or shall I force the situation somehow?

How do _you_ get through _your_ Carver's Block?

S~

[Kenny_S]

Hey scooter, send those Drake Knives to me, I'll give them some good use. LOL

Hey Buddy, been there several times. I even have several finished carved pieces waiting to be painted, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Eddy-Smiles]

Scooter... My cure is to pull the plug on the TV and turn off the computer. Go to the park and take a walk or if you live in the woods take a hike. Read a book or listen to some good music. If you have a collection of carving magazines sit down and read through them again. You need to let the creative juices get restored! all that television and computer time is sucking the life out of you!...Ha! Ha!

[tucker1931]

Hey Scooter, then what ya gotta do is try something you've never done before. I have a shelf full of little people staring down at me and they don't say anything they just stare at me. So....I thought I'm gonna do something that is functional and still considered art and carving and my first spoon was born. I gotta tell ya, if you make one you'll be up and runnin in no time flat.
Cliff

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Give it time Scooter, it will come back to you. We all need a break now and then. I am going threw the same thing right now, couple days and Iam ready to make more chips.

Dave

[xsailer]

You know, Gulf Coast Handyman is right. Sometimes a "person" just needs a break to renew the juices. Usually you come back stronger than ever. Somtime I get that way and just go out to the shop an sit and think. Before long I up at it doing something.
Good luck

[GaryMc]

Hi Scooter, That happens to all of us. What I do is look through the piles of woodcarving magazines I have ( Woodcarving Illustrated and Chip chats) that usually get me going again.
GaryMc

[Claude]

Hi, Scooter!
How about taking a 3/4 by 3/4 or 1 inch by 1 inch piece of basswood and start carving some of the 5 Minute Wizards? You can carve away on them, put them in a box, and when you get really bored, take them out and paint them. Make your own eye hooks for the top by twisting some copper wire around a 1/8 inch dowel, trim the ends, drill a hole in the wizard's hat and glue in place. The make terrific little gifts. My wife likes to hang one from the ribbons on Christmas presents...

Claude

[menehune]

Scooter, I dunno what part of the Beaver State here you live in, but here near Salem, the weather has been so depressing I have been going through the same thing. I'm down to overhauling my 1970's Delta 10" bandsaw for something to do in the house where it's warm and comfortable. Picked up an armload of basswood at Lincoln City show and I'm hoping that it will start talking to me soon (carve me, carve me) but I haven't heard a sound yet. First 65 degree day my whole attitude might change tho. Hang in there.

CDL

[carvnman40]

Scooter, I went through a similar situation.
You mentioned having 3 or 4 unfinished projects. I found out that I need to start one project and finish it before starting another. I was trying to go too many directions, to the point that I lost my edge. Now I start and finish one project and, I have not lost my enthusiasm since. It worked for me.
Mike