Is this right for me?

[Huffmand]

This is my first post! I am nervous. I started carving about a year ago. I wanted to do something productive and fun that might lead to other options in my life. I have always like working with my hands. I am a teacher and I taught basic woodworking in middle school. My husband bought me a carving set two years ago. However, I am low on patience and get in a hurry. I also do not consider myself an artist. I should like making something out of wood and making others happy. I also bought a very cheap burning tool and maybe would like to invest in the good ones.

I want opinions on my work. I am including a relief carving, signs, and woodburning with painting. Should I continue?

I made a sign for my dad from old wood that came from his homeplace
I also burned the outline of my horses and painted them from the same wood.
I made a sign for my friend out of old wood he gave me (chicken house)
The last is a relief of a wood duck.

I know I need more practice. but should I? I would maybe like to have some sort of business down the line, such as making signs, carvings, or burnings from old wood.

[hhersh]

Hey...why not keep on carving ? It's fun and you will only get better as you practice. Your work looks like you have promise as a woodcarver. You will find that is a very rewarding hobby. You'll soon be an addict like the rest of us

[AlArchie]

I'd say "stay with it!" What you've done so far shows promise and seems both well conceived an well executed.

Al

[mobjack68]

You definitely need to stay with it...one of my family members has my very first carving. It is pretty ugly and they bring it out and pass it around occasionally. I have offered to trade another carving for it, my sister tells me it is far too valuable to let me get my hands on it.
Your "first" carvings make even my 5th or 6th or 7th ..etc..etc.. attempts pale by comparison. And you post yours...talent and courage!!
Keep carving, by all means. Look at different things critically and find something that really interests you and carve it..a lot, get really good at it and then carve it some more.

You taught woodworking in middle school, are you still teaching wworking?? and how come it took so long to start carving???

[squbrigg]

Well, let me see if I can answer by asking you a question. How did you feel while you were carving those?

Carving is a skill, one that is honed by practice. Some folks can never master the basics while others seem to have a natural talent for it. As you have been working with wood and teaching woodworking in middle school, you are familiar with the basics of tools, wood, wood grain and what to expect from different species of wood. Did you enjoy the carving process, or was it a chore?

Your efforts show that you hold the basic skills you will need in carving, but only you can tell if there is a pleasure in the process. Once the pleasure is reveiled (if it's there) then you will begin to progress from a beginner to a more skilled carver. Unless there is pleasure in carving, then it is just a mechanical process, and becomes work. It will be much more difficult for someone to gain in skill in carving if they don't enjoy the process. I would venture that someone who doesn't enjoy the carving process would find it very difficult, if not impossible , to teach it.

This is just an opinion, of course. I have been carving for many years, and to me carving is a passion. Not everyone feels the same way. Your efforts show promise, and with practice and some reading or instruction, you could become a carver. How good of a carver is up to you.

Good luck.

Bob

[bigEd_H]

I'm with everyone else here, you show that you have the skill set and your work is very good. Stay with it if it is enjoyable for you. It's your choice, but I for one would like to see more carvings from you.

[Merle Rice]

You are defiantly have talent and have produced a lot of good pieces. I like them all. It seems that you have a good imagination also. Stay with it your doing great. Looking forward in seeing your next pieces. Have fun. Merle

[Lonewolfcarver]

I say if you're enjoying it then stay with with it. You will improve with practice. The wood duck looks great.

[Woody1961]

I am going to put it plainly: You may want to try some different fonts. Other than that, I like the figures you did.

[pallin]

Your work shows promise, but it is too early to base your decision (to continue carving or not) on the professional possibilities. There are many wonderful woodcarvers on this site, but I would venture the quess that not many make a living from it. I know that I don't, and I've been carving for over 60 years.