Why not B original?

[cgm]

I'm posting this in hopes of inspiring people, who haven't done an original carving to consider doing one. I realize when starting to carve ur learning the basics and coping another carving is a good way to learn. After u get good at getting a carving that looks like the one u copied it is time to think about doing something that came out of ur head
There r many reasons to consider doing an original piece. >For me I like the end result better because its mine. >There is more of a challenge to figuring everything out to come up with a carving that is all urs. >There is also the advantage when other people see it they wouldn't b thinking to themselves he didn't do this or that as good as whats his name did. That gives u an advantage over someone who copied.
I wood like to hear others comment as to the pros of doing an original. I like variety is why I feel this way. I have more ideas than I could carve in a life time.
They r everywhere I just had to share my thots on this ,thanks for listening.
carl

[pallin]

I agree completely, Carl. It may be helpful to beginners to follow the step-by-step instructions of an experienced carver to learn the basic techniques, but the genuine satisfaction comes from making an original piece. Also, one should try various forms of carving rather than repeating the "original" design over and over with minor variations.
What!? You LIKE carving Santas?

[Mitchell]

Nice post Carl.

You mentioned that "we" copy in a way to learn and this is true. However, I think copying also makes it difficult to learn and that the "student" would actually learn MORE by trying something new on their own. It doesn't have to be an elaborate carving.

I used "we" and "student" as general terms...I'm always learning and even though I (or others) may not be studying all the time we carve, we should be learning something when we do it!

The quote in all your posts is appropriate "~~{The biggest mistake one can make is, being afraid too make one }~~"

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Amen! Let me repeat that.....AMEN! (The reason I repeated myself is because it wouldn't let me post just one word.)

[Josef]

Yep, my carvings might not be that good, but they are all mine. I am only new to carving, but I just cannot see myself ever copying someone elses work, with or without their permission. I find it deeply satisfying to come up with something on my own. I believe there is no subject matter that has not been carved in one form or another, but I do have my own style now I think, so whatever I attempt remains mine. Joe.

[Timberwolf]

Good post.

The talent I see on this forum is unbelievable. I think it is amazing how well folks can duplicate other folks work. In my opinion, though, I feel a small twinge inside that says 'awesome work, but I can tell it's so-and-so's work, just copied'.

Again in my opinion, if someone can kick out that quality of work, they can make a very fine name for themselves with their own look or design.

I know I look at many of the folks' work on this site and think 'darn it, wish I'd come up with a design so unique'. It's motivation to me to create my own look.

[jbboston]

I agree, there is nothing more satisfiying than getting a carving done and being able to say "I did that, start to finish!" I do have a question though, I learned how to carve from reading books and now while I don't do patterns from other people I may use some of their style in my work. For instance, I learned to do heads from reading Pete LeClair's book, now my heads, while my own design, may look like his style, with my own changes, (hope this makes sense). Is this still copying?

[Timberwolf]

I wouldn't think so. If you use their 'technique', but your work doesn't look like theirs, then I would say 'no' IMHO.

I use Lynn Doughty's method of putting hats on my carvings yet my work does not look 'Doughty'. Got there using his method, but not his style.

[cgm]

Hello everybody, thanks for the good comments. I looked through the pics of carvings I have on the my Picasa site, and I realized I need to get some more original carving pics put there. As you can see I have copied others work along with doing my ideas.
Yes Phil I do Santas. It has become a tradition, that each of my children get a Santa at Christmas. Now the grandchildren get a Christmas type carving as well. A couple of years ago they got the dog with a Santa hat that is similar to my avatar pic.
In a couple of weeks I will have to have done a very original Santa for someone to give there friend. Santas are just a part of what i carve. Too me a caricature with a lot of caricature is my favorite art.
Carl

[pallin]

I'm really not a Grinch - carving Santas is a wonderful outlet for creative skills. In recent years I have gone to woodcarvers events to try new forms of carving. Even while doing the project of the "class," I think about how I can apply that new skill to a project of my own. But, I still haven't tried power or chainsaw carving.