Is it cheating?...

[Dan S]

Hey there,
I wanted a couple of opinions. I'm working on a carving of a pirate ship. It will be pretty eloborate when it's done. The pirates, accessories, boat hull etc. will all be hand carved. However, I've turned the canon barel on a lathe as this is the look I wanted. (I carved the carage but it will consist of several parts.) I will also be incorpotating hemp string, brass fittings and some short sections of chain. Are these additions considered cheating? How are these things looked at in a competition should I ever decide to enter one?

Dan

[DADDIO]

competition wise i can't tell you,but in my opinion use what ever you want to to get the effect your looking for.it's you creation,do it for you,it's kinda like well i'm using hand tools but if i use a dremel to sand or maybe shape something is that allowed.heck ya if you want to!! to me creativity shouldn't have boundries.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Cheating? Dan as soon as you pick up a pencil to draw a line to go by someone will pipe up that you're cheating. I use my lathe for all sorts of things I incorporate into my pieces. Just recently I did Rodeo Clowns barrel that way. Granted, I whittled up the surface to give the appearance of it being carved but it was turned on a lathe.

In all the years I've been carving I've found that you can never please everyone and that it's human nature to point out the most insignificant fault in something just to have something to say. I've also learned that, while I willingly accept comments or suggestions that can improve my work, I can just as easily ignore those which have no real meaning. If what some consider "cheating" gets me to my goal I'll gladly become the biggest charlatan on the planet. Some would say I've reached that point already!

[JIM QUILICI]

Originally Posted by DADDIO

competition wise ....... to me creativity shouldn't have boundries.

I agree 100% with Daddio and Lynn.........there is always going to be someone out there saying ...you can't ...or you are not suppose to do it that way........
those people always worry me...I know that they are going to get really tired...or ruin their health .....trying to manage their carvings and Mine too ........carve just the way you want to and......... enjoy the hobby.... have fun..... and by the way have a Merry Christmas
Jim

[hruukki]

The original question: I guess there are different classes in many competitions. Your work sounds like it falls into "applied" - I'm sure it can enter some competition at least.

Henri

[pallin]

One form of carving is chip carved plates. I don't believe anyone would attempt to hand carve the plate - they are always turned on a lathe and then the pattern is done by hand. Likewise, many other forms of carving are started by bandsawing the rough shape in the wood.

[BrandantR]

Cheating, I didn't know that art had limits. If your goal is to compete in some competition with strict guidelines, then follow the guidelines. If you goal is to make the best piece of art that you are capable of creating, then use whatever tools or additions get you there. I guess my way of thinking is to carve to please yourself and don't worry about "following the rules".

P.S. Who wrote that rule book anyway?

[Tom-H]

Holy Moly! Everyones seems to be in agreement. Me too! But then I cheat all the time when carving. You see I use a knife; instead of my finger nails...

Tom H

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Probably the biggest cheats are those who try to "cheat" the rest of us out of having fun and developing our talents the way we want by trying to impose their set of moronic rules which they themselves probably don't even follow. I hope they all get a big bag of coal for Christmas!

[Sharon of the Dell]

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

Probably the biggest cheats are those who try to "cheat" the rest of us out of having fun and developing our talents the way we want by trying to impose their set of moronic rules which they themselves probably don't even follow. I hope they all get a big bag of coal for Christmas!

AMEN! AMEN!AMEN!