First carvings?

Irishman · #11 10-09-2007, 05:37 PM

This may give you some encouragement...or if you have high expectation, it might discourage you as well ; ) Attached is one of my first attempts at carving which was less than two years ago. Beside it is a pic of one of my latest carvings I posted here. I like to think I learned a few things from the folks on this site. My mantra is to "keep practicing". Logs are cheap so carve away.
Any more brave carvers willing to show how far they have come?
Patrick

Fred Zavadil · #12 10-12-2007, 12:44 PM

Mike, it was said by many here - do not think much about how others started.... what counts is that you enjoy what you do. The fact that you are sometimes not happy with the results is normal for everybody and it should be the best motivator for trying to do better the next time. There is a lot of examples on this site where we can all see how much better carvers get in time. Eventually, you will find what suits you and what you like. If you are in doubt, do not hesitate to ask - there is a lot of great carvers here willing to help with advice. Do not get discouraged, you are probably better than you think.
Fred

Mail Walker · #13 10-16-2007, 07:28 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

Robert Cahill · #14 10-17-2007, 12:46 PM

Well I guess I should thank you. I did a cowboy for my first carving and he was so bad I made a noose and hung him in my shop. After reading your post I found some old carving I did and after looking at them I thought I haven't improved much. Then I looked again and said I should have done this I should have done that so I came in and found a recent carving and compared it and I have improved so I am feeling pretty good about myself so...

Shamus · #15 10-17-2007, 01:18 PM

Here, this one should make people feel better about their work. I goofed around with carving as a kid, and only now have I decided to put some serious time and effort into carving. I had completely forgotten about making this woodpecker for my grandfather when I was around ten. After he died 9 years ago, it went into storage. It wasn't until I was talking to my parents about carving the other week that they reminded me about it. So here it is, the one and only finished carving I have ever done (yet...).

Clifford_Parker · #16 10-20-2007, 12:39 AM

It's the woodspirit in cottonwood bark in the bottom picture on my home page. I gave it to my "extra mom" and she proudly displays it on the wall in her entyway.

http://cliffordparker.tripod.com/

Smee · #17 10-20-2007, 08:18 AM

Everyone's idea of art is different. Look at some of those appalacian folk carvings. Very crude to me!
You just have to know what inspires you. That is your vision!
There are only a couple of things you must work on. You have to have a VERY sharp knife. When you make a cut it must be smooth, not torn. And similarly, you must have knowledge of wood grain and how to work with it. Anything else is up to you.

b1knzq46 · #18 10-20-2007, 09:23 AM

Hi my name is David i'v started carving cains about 7 month a go .

macktruck · #19 10-20-2007, 11:58 PM

Hey Mail Walker,
Don't let Yourself be discouraged. I've been at this for about 15 years. I drive a truck and carve while waiting to get unloaded/loaded so I don't spend alot of time at it. My first was a spoon with hearts on the handle it's thick, chunky and not very pleasant to handle. ( My wife says it's good for mixing thick cookie doughs so she uses it all the time.
So someone will always like your carvings even if they're a bit biased.
Macktruck