Teri: I would like that.

[Colin_Partridge]

Teri is right what makes us unique is the different style's that we all have. The worst thing you can do is to try and copy someone else. Even worse is some people think because they have won a lot of competitions it makes them better than you. Example is when I first started carving there was another carver who was very critical of my work and was for ever telling me what I should do and shouldnt do. Granted he is an excellent carver but all of his woodspirits had the same face. He had perfected that face and only changed it slightly from carving to carving. Funny thing even though I didnt have his talent everyone liked my woodspirts better there comment was 'How can you do so many carvings and have a different face every time?' It is because I let the wood guide me and I honestly love releasing the spirit from the tree. I used to be critical of my woodspirits but I now realize that I have something that other carver did not and people liked it. So be yourself and dont sell yourself short we are all better than we think we are because we are our own worst critics.
Colin
http://www.geocities.com/partridge_ch

Colin.
It couldn't have been said any better than how you stated it. You guys and gals are talented in more ways than just the art of carving. I sure am glad that I came across this forum. Thanks to all of you!!!
Daryl S

[woodenleg]

Reminds me of a story: I asked Wally Lueth, perhaps the leading living woodcarver of realistic women in our parts, how he got started carving women. He said that when he started caricature carving all of his men turned out rather feminine looking. So he asked one of the leading caricaturists in the country how to correct the problem. His answer: 'Start carving women.' He never looked back. I guess one carves what comes out and that is a good thing.

[Callynne]

Â* Â* I really agree with the advice given here. Â*When I started carving I had every intention of carving more what some call folkart, primitive or even rustic carvings. Â*I love that style, but what came out from the beginning was more realistic carvings, I couldn't have been more surprised. Â*I like the direction my work is going but I still really love the other style of carving. Â*Take a good look at your work Steve, you just may find your hands are trying to tell you something, show you just what your style is. Â*And remember, the more you carve the better you will get at whatever style is 'emerging' from you! Â*Good luck....have lots of fun!! Â*Callynne

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Kindling wood is my forte'

Callynne: Â*I hope some style pops out of them. Â*I just carved two figures for my whirligig, ones a bass, and ones a fisherman. I'll put up a pic when it's done. Â*Not great but you can tell what they are.

Plain_ol_Ed: Â*I'm glad I have a wood stove, I'll save on wood this year, I make a lot of kindling with cheap wood, I'll have to be careful when I start buying good carving wood.

steve

Hey, Steve, if you can tell what it is, you've already won half the battle!! Nothing worse than when you pour your heart and soul into a carving, and someone looks at it, says, 'yeah, that's nice, but...what is it?' :

OHboy,

Teri

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Or 'My, what a cute Teddy Bear,' when all along you thought it was an Easter Bunny.

Teri: Â*Just because I know what it is doesn't mean anyone else would. Â*But its fun, and it keeps me away from the TV and computer and refrigerator. Â*I like doing my whirligigs and now maybe my people will look better.

Plain_ol_Ed: LOL, and after all that work, now I need to learn to carve gears.

steve