[jillsy]

Hey all you good-lookin people,

Not sure if this has been discussed yet, but it's something I've been wondering about. When carving, do you carve everything, even little accessories, or do you improvise and use other things to enhance your carving? (eg, Eddy s added alittle mop to his carving lady that I think looks really cute. He didn't carve it, but it added alittle extra something).

Sometimes I think of using metal or other materials on my carvings, but then I'm not sure if it'll add to it, or take from it.

Any opinions on this??

Jillsy

[Mitchell]

Well, it all really comes down to one simple rule:

You do what YOU want to do.

I've done both. If you want to put the piece in competition, know the rules 1st. Some do not allow non-wood add-ons.

If it's for sale, your own collection, or an "allowing" show, then by all means have at it.

(By the way, it HAS been discussed before.)

Old discussion that started out one thing and ended up on add-ons:

Caricature dimensions

[AlArchie]

Check out Lynn Doughty's site and his carvings.....there is some added "stuff". If you think that is "cheating", well, I wish I could cheat like that! Only what he adds, he makes himself, just not wood all the time.


Al

[Kenny_S]

Personally Jillsy, It is cheating only if you want it to be. I first thought a little on that lines but after viewing several known carvers and what they added to their carvings. I agree with ALA, wish I could "cheat" like that.

I believe Mitch hit the nail on the head, Do what you want but know the rulles if competing.
Just my 2 Abe Lincolns worth.

[DADDIO]

i don't see it as cheating,if it's something your creating then so be it it's what you invision,to me there aren't rules on creativity,now as for as shows there maybe but other than that what the heck i've added wooden guns and animals as well as using copper to make whiskey stills for some of my little hillbillies and making wire rim glasses,i say do what you want it's your art,make it like ya want it and have fun

[Thomp]

I dont think of additional items being carves or manufactured by you to be cheating,

there are those out there that are purists that will only use a knife blade from start to finish, ,
no sandpaper no palmchisel's paint or sealer,
and they make some rather impressive carvings..

im not that talented, but if i mess up a head i will not hesitate in cutting it off and making another and peg it in place,

metal or glass beads like in mouse eyes, yep i used them sometimes..

why work many hours on carving a supporting item like a coffee cup, if you can whip one up out of tin and it looks like a real cup, as to where the wooden cup might split, or never turn into the shape you need, if you attain a small item such as that,
its usually because you had to glue it back togather several times, and you can tell it too...

small carvings are tough without miniature tools

check out lynns chuckwagon cook tutorial, he has used several materials that came out fine,

although i would refrain from using rubber or bird feathers and such that have a limited life exposure less than the wooden carving,

thomas

[Nancy-ID]

California Carvers guild guidelines say in most catagorys 'use of non-wood items are allowed but not encouraged'. but thats only their guildlines, don't know about others. as most have said, do it the way you like it.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Sure it's cheating. Anyone caught doing it should lose access to his tools and forever be forbidden from carving. We've got to stand together and stop this practice before it gets out of hand!

[Pierre]

"Carve, or carve not....... There is no cheating."
Yoda
@3087


Woodcarver's Guild or not...... we do what we must to accomplish the finished product. We do lettering, of course, but the centerpiece of everything we do is the artwork.
This piece is in Glacier National Park. The Jammer Joe's Restaurant is a landmark there, and the red tour busses still take visitors all round the incredible majesty of our park.
The old guy leaning on the fender came to the studio to pose for us, and the parts that are not carved (if you look closely) are the little metal buttons along the top of the bus that hold the roll-back summer top, and the driver's glasses. We formed them out of high tensile gold wire.
The old guy is "Joe", and Joe has been a driver for the tours since 1948, still alive and active today. I wish I had taken an extreme closeup of his face because my son did a beautiful job illustrating him with tiny Scheffield chisels.







If you look closely you'll see the tread on the tires.
P

[santagibbs]

To me it's what the person who buys likes.. If the carving is so cute and different, then usually the things that aren't wood appeals to them.. This was first brought to my attention when I noticed a carver from California. He worked in Silicone Valley and gave up his job to full time carve.. His carvings were sold in Newman Marcus..sp.... for a big price.. He hired someone else at the time to carve his hands for him and then he always would put a little store bought basket with some things that are growing in nature.. with his carving.. Paul B....something is his name.. I thought..well if he can do that and people like his that well, then so can I. Cutis didn't want to compromise so we didn't do it but if I wanted to, I would.. It's what the people want and what you love to do yourself..Just my idea...Charlotte