Hi gang,
For the first time in my life I am at the point were I am not very motivated to carve. I was carving yesterday and it hit me I really wasent doing a very good job. I realized after some thought that my heart wasent into it and really hasent been for the past few weeks. I was wondering if any of you get the same way and if so what do you do to get out of that slump. I have a big competition coming up in British Columbia starting the 30th of June and now I am even cancelling out of it. This competition has always been the highlight of my year I get to go and carve on the beach with some of the finest carvers in the world but this year I just dont know. I would hate to go out and do a disasterous carving. Well maybe something or someone will inspire me in the next few weeks.
Colin

Hi gang,
Typo I havent cancelled out of it yet but I am contemplating it.
Colin

Colin,

It happens to me quite freqently. Â*I can go a couple of months without the urge to carve. Â*Seems like work, family life and other priorities (golf) get in the way. Â*It is especially worse in the summer months. Â*

I do lose a bit of my 'woodcarving' imagination during that time off - and it takes a while to get it back. Â*

I really enjoy carving, but do not generally sell my items - I don't because I don't want carving to feel like work. Â*It's stress relief for me. Â*

When I do get back to carving after a period off, I seem to enjoy it more. Â*I would suggest that you carve something different.... this may get you out of the slump. Â*Or go watch someone else carve an item that you've never carved. Â* You don't have to carve, just watch. Â*You may be at a point that you aren't learning or progressing. Â*This could be taking your interest out of the FUN of carving.

Lastly, don't miss the BC event. Â*You'll regret it if you do. Â*

Good luck.

[Kenny_S]

Colin, Say it isn't so!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes sir, I know what you are talking about. Have had that same feelings from time to time.
Usually, I get over it when I go to a carving show or see someone who is carving. There are four men who carves every Monday evening from ^ tto 9 pm and I cna get out of that mode when visiting them. I finished the Mallard duck head cane for MY BIL and have not carved a thing since( a week and a half.
Maybe it is time to sit back and look at why the feeling hit you.
Anyway, Best wishes and I pray you get back to carving as you inspire a lot of us to carve. THAT IS A FACT!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Hi Colin My lathe works for me, different format and faster results Ron A.

[dart]

Hi Colin, I know exactly what you mean as I am experiencing that feeling right now. Kind of like getting depressed about everything and feeling 'over-loaded' with too many things to do and everything happening all at once. What I do is get away from carving for awhile and do something else so much that it bores me and then quit that and go back to carving. Sometimes it takes a month sometimes just a few hours. Also, I read the Carving World forums and it makes me feel a whole lot better. I thought I was the only one that got the 'blues' when I carve too much. That's why I don't sell my carvings. That way, it stays a 'hobby' for me and not a 'work session' that must be completed on time. Try another hobby like maybe 'knifemaking'. That is sort of like carving but it is different because of the different methods and materials used. Good luck and hang in there. Looks like most of us get that way too. Jim

Colin,
I have the cure; put away your power tools and large chisels and whittle for a while. No cutouts or patterns, just a small piece of wood, a knife, and your imagination.

It gives you time to think things out without the pressure of matching your thought process to the speed of a power tool.

Don't place any expectations on the finished carving, just make a pile of chips, stopping once in a while to look up at the sky.

It won't be long before you find ideas coming out your ears.

Good luck, Rick

[jamesfa]

you must of been reading my mind-i was thinking of posting the same type of message as you did, for the last two weeks i have been finishing up some carvings that i posted but have only started one piece which i botched and threw away. maybe we'll both get some ideas that will get us back on track.
i think i'll hich-up the covered wagon and head out maybe a change of scenery,and some new faces will get me going.
colin maybe -your blues are caused by the up coming competetion-a little stress-go to the competetion and do what you do best and i'm sure every thing will work out fine.

Oh, dear Colin, I know just where you are. I think many of us get to that point more often than we care to admit. Could be the upcoming show that is causing it - I know it does for me. Anytime I feel over-stretched or over-committed, the first thing I want to do is throw down my tools and go to bed. Sometimes it takes me all day long just to get from my bedroom to my studio....and another hour or two before I finally just sit down and start carving at something.

So often, I'll look at my work and not understand one iota of why ANYone would want anything I do. The piece I did yesterday sucks. The piece I did last week sucks even more! I don't have any real answer for getting out of the slump - I only know that somewhere in the course of the day, if I just dare to pick up my tools one more time, something new will hit me and once again I'm inspired to go on.

BIG HUGS to you...and may just the right note sound in your soul to remind you of how much your work is appreciated...how much your work is loved.

Teri

I recently went through a period like you describe Colin. Like the note I sent you a while back said I found my inspiration and joy of carving revived after reading some of your posts and visiting your site.

I would suggest that you take a long walk in the woods, listen to the wind in the leaves and the songs of the birds. Feel the wonder of nature and re-discover the spirits that inspired you when your journey in carving first began. Who knows, if you keep your eyes and heart open you might even spot a woodspirit watching over you.