[Merle Rice]

I was looking over my past Carvings and realized that I was Amazed that I had done them. If this sounds Conceded, is isn't meant to. Just wondering if anyone felt that way about their past Carvings. Thought I would get this in before Tuesday Shut Down. Merle

[Colin_Partridge]

Never Merle I just look at everyone elses and cant figure out how I cant do what they do. That is the gods honest truth
Colin

[pallin]

No Merle, I have had the good fortune to travel in Europe and South America and see the incredible carvings in museums and churches by now anonymous craftsmen. For example, in the British Museum are some pieces by Flemish carvers with amazing details: the Last Supper in deep relief and only inches high. Many of these carvings are hundreds of years old and in beautiful shape.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Colin and Phil,Thank you for your input, but I think you are being to hard on yourselves. You do great pieces. I would never compare my pieces with a Museum piece. For whatever level my carvings are it just amazes me that I could have done them. Merle

[sgtusmc]

Your right about that, I'm not so much amazed at what I do, I'm amazed at what other people can do, to be totally honest, if I looked at the work of others on this web site before I posted mine, I don't think I would have put mine up there.

Every time I look at some of the pieces done by others I become totally inspired.

Glad I can be a small part of it.


Scooter
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[hruukki]

I probably know what you mean Merle: the reason is that carving isn't so much inspiration as it is planning and hard work. I mean: if I draw something, on a good day I manage to draw something I like, and on a bad day, it's in the trash can. The process is fairly quick, and 2-dimensional to boot. When carving, I (we) concentrate so much on the actual process that we don't have much time to worry over how good it will be, etc. So when the piece finally is finished, we're usually pretty blown away by what we have achieved. Of course there's a difference between being amazed at our own work and being amazed at some really fine piece of art - but the satisfaction with our own work certainly is the surest way to eventual success and at least constant progress. There's ALWAYS someone who does something better so we can just bluntly count that out, in my opinion.

[Kenny_S]

I am Amazed that my even resemble carvings! However, I am always amazed at other people's carvings.

[mark yundt]

I think I know where you're coming from. At times as I'm flipping through my portfolio with a client,,which is less than half the carvings I've done,,they're shocked at the volume. I stand back and look at this,,,and many times I come across pieces I have totally forgotten about and wonder who the heck did all this stuff? I have such a disconnect with some pieces that they almost appear alien to me. And I do say,,I can't believe I did that piece,,,or the fact that I did what I have.
Looking at and thinking about it makes me tired and my arms hurt,,

[Alice in Wonderland]

Merle, I know too what you are talking about. I too look at the wall in my Livingroom and think "I could not have done this all"?? HOW? Even Strangers , "You did this?" and I think ,yes I did this and I am proud of myself , A Woman????? can work with chainsaws ,Percivals etc. and still have my fingers:-))) No I think ,every Carver, Turner, Painter or Artist should be proud and a bit doubtful because this will create another better piece.
Just my thoughts.
Alice

[Jim OH]

Mearl,
Often times I'll look at one of my carvings and be amazed that it resembles what I thought I was starting out to carve. I'm often surprised at the faces I do because it sure isn't from careful planning. Most of em' are a result of fouling up what I was going after. Thankfully I can usually adjust what I am doing to turn it into something presentable. I have often had folks ask me how I carved my faces and I have to tell ya, I often ask that of myself. Usually I just tell folks that I may appear to have no talent but sometimes looks are deceiving ;O). Have had no formal art training, can't draw freehand better than a second grader, but I somehow get er dun and lately have been happier than usual with the results. It took me so long to type this I forgot the original question LOL.
Jim OH