[Davesacarvin]

I have been trying to figure out how someone becomes " master carver "

[BobD]

Well Dave,

There are several answers to your question!

One theory is that if you sell your work, you are a professional carver.

Traditionally, European carvers had to go through a rigerous course of study before they could be considered a "Master Carver"

But today, it seems like many people are considered a master carver.

My personal opinion on the topic is that a master carver is skilled at what he does, whether or not he makes a living at his art. He or she is an expert in his or her style of carving--and knows enough to be able to pass on these skills. The person should also have a certian amount of pull or influence in the carving world in general.

Chip Carver Wayne Barton, in my opinion, is a master carver. He was trained in Europe, and has been credited with the resurgance in interest in chip carving. He teaches classes, shares his knowledge, and is well known and well respected in the carving community. I can name a few more--Desiree Hajnay in the field of stylized and wildlife carving, Rick Butz, Harold Enlow, and Pat Godin would be a few--all the members of the CCA...the list goes on

That is not to say that there are not other, lesser known master carvers out there...but when I think of a master carver, these are the people that come to mind for me!

So you can see, Dave, the term Master Carver is a bit subjective!

Bob Duncan
Wood Carving Illustrated

[Colin_Partridge]

I agree completly that it is very suggestive. You would not believe how many people refer to me as a master carver and I always laugh because I am truly not. What a lot of people think is what ever is to how well they could do what you do. There are not a lot of people that can't even draw a staight line and have no artistic talent. So when they see what you do you immediatly become a master carver. It is probably because it is a term that they have heard associated with carving. You dont hear of Vangough being refered to as a master painter (Athough some may call him a master carver) I carve for a living sometimes but do not consider myself a professional carver. I really dont care what you call me I dont get hung up on a title. I carve because I like to carve and if people didnt pay me for what I did I would still have fun doing it. In fact sometimes when people pay me for what I do I feel a little guilty because they have supplied me with a tree to carve. If I just went around carving tree's I would be arrested. Just my personal opinion and two cents worth.
Colin

[Lightningbolt]

"Chip Chats" had an excellent article on the different levels of woodcarving sometime during the 90's and perhaps I'll try to find it again when I feel like thumbing thru a stack higher than me! That article really broke things down in a way that made a lot of sense.

I can only agree with Colin in that most folks base your carving "title" upon what they think that they can carve, which usually isn't much... so they most respectfully refer to us as master carvers. Outside the county fair I've never ever entered any of my carvings in a show or contest and there's not any carving clubs in my area, so the only people who know that I carve are those who are family, friends, or students in my woodshop class at work and they all seem to believe that I have some kind of magic powers when it comes to wood and I'm often referred to as a master carver.

This very small circle of admiration from the folks in my immediate life is good enough for me!

[sheltiecarver]

Another 2 cents worth here:
It seems to me that the several persons I have met who call themselves "master carvers" are either European trained through that long apprenticeship program (and most of them are masters), or they are folks who are all puffed up about their abilities. Seems to me if you have to tell folks you are a master at sumpthin, maybe you are not.
On the other hand, if you ask other artists (carvers) who among them is a master carver, you will very often find a real jewel - one who has carved LOTS of really great stuff. In this area that means a guy named Warren Guthrie - sometimes called the Norman Rockwell of the Sierras. If you say something to him though, you get "Aw, shucks - I'm just goofing around." In my book, he's a real master. I agree with Bob, those CCA folks and Wayne Barton and Desiree - they're masters too. And I'd bet their business cards don't say "Master Carver"
Whew!! Maybe 4 cents worth !! Sorry. This is a soap box item for me!
Sandy

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I reserve the title master carver for those Europeans who through long years of study and apprenticeship have earned the title and been certified as such by their respective governement. A title requireing that much effort should be honored and protected. Great carver, professional carver, etc. should be enough for the rest of the world. My two cents worth.

[squbrigg]

Titles.........they seem to be necessary for some people, to impress their importance or their supposed knowledge. I recall the point made by a carving instructor once, a prospective student wanted to know: " if he needed to take the two week course or just the one week course to become a master carver!"

To me: Knowledge, experience, years of apprenticeship, training and discipline, combined with talent , creates a "Master"! It is the same for many crafts.......seamanship for example.....everybody who has the money to buy a boat calls himself "Captain" now a day........but few have the experience, training, etc. to actually be classed as a seamen, let alone a master mariner or captain.

Ah well, let them call themselves what they like....the proof is in the results.

Bob........."student of life!"

[Anthony Filetti]

Originally Posted by squbrigg

Ah well, let them call themselves what they like....the proof is in the results.

EXACTLY!!


Tony - "a simple understudy"

[missioni]

Having studied in Europe I can tell you that there are hobby carvers in Germany and Austria that are more qualified to be a master carver than 99.99% of the carvers in the USA that call themselves such. In my opinion Americans use the term more for marketing and ego than reality. When ever someone refers to me as a master carver I tell them no way not even close.

I have seen carvers from the US, who thought they were pretty hot stuff, some are even well known authors on carving, leave Europe with their tails between their legs. To be a master carver in Austria you have to prove your education/apprenticeship and sit an exam. Which from what I have been told by those who have taken it was very difficult.

So if you ever run into a person in the US who calls themselves a master carver proceed with caution.

[Irish]

Originally Posted by squbrigg

Titles.........they seem to be necessary for some people, to impress their importance or their supposed knowledge. I recall the point made by a carving instructor once, a prospective student wanted to know: " if he needed to take the two week course or just the one week course to become a master carver!" " smilieid="1" class="inlineimg" />

To me: Knowledge, experience, years of apprenticeship, training and discipline, combined with talent , creates a "Master"! It is the same for many crafts.......seamanship for example.....everybody who has the money to buy a boat calls himself "Captain" now a day........but few have the experience, training, etc. to actually be classed as a seamen, let alone a master mariner or captain.

Ah well, let them call themselves what they like....the proof is in the results.

Bob........."student of life!"

OK ... Here are two more cents ...

Is it the carver that is calling themselves a Master OR is it their students and followers. It has been my experience that it's the students that often hang the titles on their teachers. Students don't want to think they are learning from "Just any other Joe". I believe that they want to be able to tell their friends and relatives "I am learning from a Master Carver". They want to say that they are learning from the very best.

Here in the US I do believe that the title or reference to Master Carvers comes much more from the followers of that particular carver.

Susan