[chuckt]

Hey everyone – I am so annoyed. I just spent the last 45 minutes typing out a long message on the board and then hit some key on my keyboard that blew my message away. UGH!!!!

So here I go again. I’ll try to recreate what I wrote.

I FINALLY made the time to drive the two hours to Bethlehem PA and spend the day with Mark Yundt at his home and shop. I have wanted to do this for just about a year now, and when I found I could take yesterday off from work I decided to make the trip.

Am I ever glad I did. This man is AMAZING in so many ways, not the least of which is his generosity – with his time (he spent 11 hours with me) and hospitality. Mark opened up his shop, his home, and his mind to me. Treated to me to lunch, a never ending supply of wonderful mint iced tea throughout the day, and a fantastic home cooked dinner of grilled steak, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, & wine that he and his wife prepared. I cannot thank you & your lovely wife enough Mark for welcoming me to your home. I hope I can return the favor someday. THANK YOU!!!

Now – what did we do for 11 hours you wonder? Well, I’ll tell you. I arrived about 9:30am and Mark welcomed me in and we made our way through his home (he’s done some beautiful work on his home over the years) out back to the shop. He explained how he had started in a tiny one car garage, then eventually purchased the property next door and tore down the old house (himself by hand!!) to clear a lot for his garden oasis (see the photos below) and expand his shop. One of my main quests was to learn just how Mark managed to create his life and business as a FT carver. Well – I got that and so much more.

I find Mark’s life to be an amazing story. Let me first explain that *I* have always had a deep admiration and respect for anyone who manages to build their life around their passion – especially artists, musicians, craftsmen & women etc. One of my very favorite shows was HGTV’s Modern Masters. But I always wanted to know so much more than the 10 min segments on that show could provide. I always thought it’d be neat to write a book or do a show that takes that premise but goes into depth with each artisan and their story. When I shared that fact with Mark his eyes lit up and agreed that he loved that show – but there is no way he considers himself a “master” – I think he’s wrong. J

We spent the morning with Mark walking me through his life story – about his early mechanical inclinations and how he rebuilt an engine on his own as a 9 yr old that his dad had tried to have repaired multiple times – and got it to work. Though he wasn’t sure what exactly he did to fix it. About how he wasn’t “artistic” and went to school to study biology with thoughts of eventually studying Veterinary Medicine, then left after a year. He married his HS sweetheart and bought a house at 19. He worked as a mechanic, then in retail for Rickles Home Centers for 10 years. During this time he stumbled into a bird carving exhibition for Duck’s Unlimited, got fascinated and dove in. Going to a local club and being mentored by some local bird carvers. He would work 10 – 12 hours a day at work, come home and carve into the wee hours of the morning, sleep a couple hours and get up to do it all again. He couldn’t afford a lot of tools so he made his own knives, and pyrography tools (from old soldering irons). He would pick up any fresh road killed bird he could for reference (especially to get the colors of paint right). In one years time he entered competition and started winning blue ribbons left and soon after was winning best of shows at the World championships in MD. Then around this time he met a carver (I am sorry but I’ve forgotten the name) north of Bethlehem who became his mentor in the world of classical carving. This opened his eyes to a whole new level and world of carving – and he said “wow – I know NOTHING about real carving.” After 10 years working at Rickles he was laid off, and so he went to “work” for his mentor but wasn’t making any real money with him. He and his family eventually burned through his pension and savings – and finally with $175 left his wife said “don’t you think it’s time to get a real job?” He then informed her that he was starting out on his own as a FT woodcarver. She went ballistic! But that same day he got a call from a local church about a possible job to restore 8 old statues. The priest had seen his tiny ad “Mark Yundt – Woodcarver” that he had placed. . He convinced the priest to give him the job based on his bird carving portfolio and Mark’s “can do” attitude. That was his start and paid enough for him to survive a few months and started the snowball of referrals for other religious work. No matter what the job entailed – even if he wasn’t sure how to do it – “Sure I can do it” was his motto. Sheer determination and perseverance has served Mark well.

(See part 2)

ChuckT

[chuckt]

We went to lunch around 12:30pm where Mark treated me to a burger and a beer (despite my attempt to treat his – next time it’s on me Mark!) at the Bethlehem Brewery. Mmmmm good! If you’re ever in Bethlehem check this place out. We drove back via the old Bethlehem Steel mills. The facility was 4 ½ miles from end to end of HUGE buildings and old blast furnaces. WAY cool. These are now being developed into condo’s, art galleries, retail space, and a casino. This should ensure Bethlehem’s future as a tourist attraction and boost the local economy that was devastated by the loss of the steel industry.

So we continued chatting about Mark’s business as a carver, the jobs he took on, etc. when we got back, then veered into religion and philosophy (raised Catholic but he’s now inspired by Eastern Philosophy and Budhism via the writings of Thomas Merton). We talked and talked and tied all of this back into carving. FASCINATING for me.

Eventually we worked our way into tools, sharpening, carving technique etc. Mark is VERY much a carver in the mold of classical European traditional carving. His tool selection at this point is about 15 – 20 Swiss Made full sized gouges for about 95% of his work. The book he points to as to where he learned most of his carving specific skills? The Manual of Traditional Woodcarving by Paul N Hasluck. For inspiration – the David Esterly book on Grinling Gibbons and The Limewood Carvers of Renaissance Germany by Michael Baxandall. He credits Betty Edwards Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain as truly opening up his carving, drawing and design ability. So much so – that he named the shop cat (a stray kitten that came and stayed) Betty.

Mark is firmly convinced that there is NOTHING that cannot be carved more efficiently and safely than with traditional full sized gouges. (including tiny carvings and caricatures). Also that full sized gouges are misrepresented as only for mallet work. But Mark is a “show me” kind of guy who tries things himself to prove or disprove “theories” presented as facts – so sometimes he comes across as hard headed or arrogant. He knows that and he really doesn’t mean to be combative. But he get’s frustrated that sometimes the standard advice dispensed to new carvers to start with knives and palm gouges is overly slanted to that American “whittling” (my words not his) perspective, and that the Classical or Traditional European perspective is under represented. In any case – he recognizes that it’s a free world and folks can work with whatever tools and techniques they want, but he won’t back away from presenting his perspective and if he can disprove something that’s being touted as a “rule” – then he is not likely to ever agree. I am inclined to agree with him – but for now I’ll probably continue to use my knives and palms for my casual carving. But I sure am looking to get MUCH more comfortable with and achieve better control over my full size gouges.

We spent and hour or so hands on with some gouges as he helped me get an understanding of carving leaves (oak) at my request. Mark’s hands make the strong assured cuts of thousands of hours of experience. But he showed me that it isn’t outside the realm of possible for a newbie either. Really – it DOES all come down to “JUST DO IT”. Go for it. That was the big message and encouragement I got from Mark yesterday.

I’ve attached some pics. One of Mark in his shop. One of his tool cart with the main rack lying on top. One of his main carving bench. You can see several of his in progress works (medallions, alter piece – very cool, clay models – crucifix with Jesus as shown in the Shroud of Turin).

Thank you so much Mark. I had an incredible and inspiring time. I hope we'll be friends for many years to come and I get the chance to host you someday.

!
ChuckT

[susieq]

Chuck, all I can say is "you lucky, lucky dog, you......" I am so jealous I cannot stand it!!!! I think we should organize tours to go to Mark's.
(that loud thump we all just heard, was Mark's wife fainting.....)

[Thor]

Thanks for sharing the story of your "Mark Y" visit with us Chuck.
I'm one who envies your visit as well, and hopes that one day I will make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem to see him work as well.
Seeing his shop through your eyes was different than the shots he's shown us. They kind of answered some questions I had about his set up.

Mark, you're obviously a generous guy, and MANY of us appreciate your advice, and patience.
Thor

[Lightningbolt]

Nice article Chuck and great picutures to go with it too. Mark sounds like the kinda guy that anyone would like to meet and know. Thanks for sharing the experience!

[sccarnes]

thanks chuck,
may your fingers alway hit the fight key,
load up the bus, and tell mark to load up on the wine,
sam

[Keoma]

What a great day you had! I am really happy for you both that you were able to connect What a great time! Thank you for sharing!

[Mottles]

All I can say is WOW, thank you Chuck for sharing your visit to Mark's and for the pictures. I knew Mark was an amazing guy and after reading your memories of your visit with him it just varifys my thought. Wonderful article and thank you for re-writing your comments.
Kathy

[Eddy Smiles]

Nice article Chuck... Magazine quality naration. Don't you hate it when after all your work it disappears into hyper-space. I've found that a good way to prevent this is to type the disertation in Word or Wordperfect, save it, and then cut and paste it on the forum.

Your photos of Mark and his shop reinforce the fact that Mark's ability is light years ahead of 99.9% of the other members on this forum, instead being on a level comparative to Chris Pyle and the likes of similiar artistic carvers. While this is excellent for Mark and his career as a carver it sets an almost unattainable mark of excellent for the rest of us to strive for. For us one must be careful that in seeking the holy grail we don't lose sight of the journey.

[Joy]

I think most of us would like to spend time just watching Mark carve. Thank you for sharing your good fortune with us. I'm glad you showed us a picture of Mark....it is always nice to have a face to go with the name.