[rick-in-seattle]

When the last chip has fallen

How will I be remembered; with a restrained smile and memories of a giving person and fair woodcarver?

When the memory of the carver is separated from the carvings, they are soon sold or thrown out. Without the memory of the carver, a carving is just another item to clutter a home.

Giving a carving to a loved one is giving a very intimate piece of yourself; a glimpse inside your mind and creative soul. To the right person, this will be an immeasurable gift.

[Smokey]

Well Rick it looks like you have come up with another good thread. It sure does make you wonder. You are right that the carvings given to close friends or family will no doubt become heirlooms, but without some solid acknowlegement those sold to strangers will probably end up at a yard sale someday. I dont sell many of my carvings because of this. I sold a woodduck decoy done in curly walnut, about 10 years ago and seen it at an estate sale a few years ago. I bought it. I paid a hell of a lot more for it than I sold it for. Who can figure.

[rick-in-seattle]

Smokey,
Your story reminds me of one.

A good carving friend of mine was at a thrift store and found a carving he had given to a friend. He bought it and (just for fun) returned it to his friend.

[AlArchie]

Rick, I don't think any of us will be long remembered for what we have done, either physically or philosophically. What will remain is what we have taught. Those who we have taught it to may have forgotten the teacher, perhaps, but the learning will be passed on. The artifacts wont last, the learning will.

Al

[Teri Embrey]

Man, this thread makes me sit up straight, fingers poised on the keyboard, with so many thoughts swirling round it, I can't quite figure out what to say. I've had that problem alot lately, not knowing what to say. But I'm passionate about what I'm not saying, nonetheless.

This is good.

Teri

[mdallensr]

I've never sold a carving and don't expect to ever sell one, mostly because I don't want to confirm how little they're worth in $'s. I give many as gifts, to family and friends, and most appreciate them (or at least say they do). A few asked me to sign some early carvings, when I didn't think that was a big deal, so they must care about them and their origin.

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Rick! How do you have time to think up all these interesting threads? How will/do I want to be remembered?? Honest, hard working, jovial, kind, compassionate, reliable... teachable in many areas; carving being my interest now and for a long time to come....oh yeah...one wicked good BBQ'er. What more could I want but a full belly and a piece of wood to carve? If the piece don't work out as an artistic endeavor, if I choose the right wood it can go into the smoker and create another more edible form of art!

Chahlie

[Hugh]

I think Rick and Smokey are on the right track. I'm not sure how to say it, but our Carvings are expressions, how we see, and how we represent what we see. The only people that care for this are the ones that care for us. I know of a Red Tail Hawk carving that I was quite proud of, it sold for $2500. I found out they now keep it in the basement. I want to be remembered for caring about people, honesty and integrity. When I was a young man my father would tell me, "If your word is no good, your no good" I love to carve, but it is only a way to make a living, and I don't think that many people will remember me for it. To Quote Archie " the artifacts wont last, but the learning will" I have read the replies over and over, and this is an interesting thread. Thanks Rick

[bygeorge]

Rick, some very thought provoking words. I have never sold any of my carvings so I cannot speak to that although I can only imagine the pain I would feel if one that I had sold ended up at a flea market. I have given them as gifts and like the giving of any other gift, it is the deed, not the gift that is important. Giving of your time and effort is one of the most precious gifts you can give.

[Colin_Partridge]

Good thread Rick, I know exactly what you mean. I have probably thousands of carvings out there somewhere. Some in Canada, some in the US and others around the world. When I have passed in this world will people try to research and find out who this carver was. Will I someday end up as just a name on the "Antiques Roadshow". Will the carvings that my grandchildren cherish now end up in a land fill someday? It is food for thought. I often think do people that buy my carvings ever think of the person who carved them? I say this because I often reflect back to some of the people who purchased them. Not all of them I could never remember all of them. I often wonder if people like Michael Angelo thought the same thing when they were creating the master pieces we know today. We know of all these great sculptors and painters they are house hold names. I dont know of one carver that is a household name.It is a great topic that I am sure a lot of us have thought about.
Colin