[Kenny_S]

Lynn said it best, "EGO busting" BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[decoycarve]

Got to chime in here!
I used enter in the Ward Compitition. It is a tough compitition as the rules are subjective to judges and cliques. A Carver from Md. Takes a $20,000.00 purse from the show. A few years later I am invited to his studio. Every Bird in his studio that was a work in progress had automotive bondo on it in many places. I have no problems with assembled pieces but the main piece in this type of compitition should be carved from wood, All wood!

I have Judged The Baltimore Wood carving Show For the Last few years. It is not as easy as you think. There are a lot of really good carvings out there. How do you decide between two perfect Carvings for first and second? I was on team of four Judges last year and most of the team had settled on a first place piece for the professional Catagory. I was having touble with the carving something just wasn't right with it. I went on line before I would make the decision. There it was. A roughout. The piece that was destined for second place was original start to finish from the artist.
The year before that A piece that took best of show was carved in a class. We had a special catagory for class carved pieces. After the show was over someone that was in the same class told me she was in the class that the piece was done in. Anna went over and talked to the instructors wife and found out indeed the piece was carved in a class.
You need to study each piece. A lot of carvers are going to ask you for a critique after the judgeing is done. At most shows only the Judges can handle the pieces. From an onlookers perspective they don't see or feel what a judge can. You can pick up the two pieces and show them the differnces.
We have something at our show where each Judges gets a judges choice ribbon. That piece that you say you know right away gets that ribbon(and purse) Every year I have done this show my Judges Chioce ribbon didn't go the the best of show. It went to the Carving that just caught my eye when I looked over the whole field of carvings.
I have been asked to Judge the Show again this year and have accepted. I will take my free lunch coupon, My $10.00 Treeeline coupon and my Judges parking place and go in there and Judge from my heart again this year.
Goody

[santagibbs]

I really don't have a right to say anything because I don't have a clue about judging.. The only show we entered in, was at a fair.. Curtis won two sweepstakes ribbons.. but from a lowely viewers opinion, If there is a Peoples Choice Award..to me that would be the most iimportant carving in the show. After all, we carve for pleasure and our customers so what takes the eye of the public is what counts to me . That's is the very best ... from one wno knows nothing.. and Lynn, yours are the best! Charlotte

[whitecree]

Lynn, ignore those nit-picking lackwits. You do know where critics - which is what a judge is - come from, don't you? They are the no-talent twits who wish they could do something, but they can't, so they invented their own job to tell those with talent (such as yourself) how good they are or are not!

Do these fools seriously believe somebody is going to sit down and carve - out of wood - a streamer and puddle of coffee? Or a raindrop or bead of sweat dotting a character's face? Or out of a solid piece of wood, not only the horse's head, but also bridle and reins?

Ok ok ok, not every judge is like that, but many of them are.

For myself, I prefer the following words of wisdom uttered by a saintly octengenarian who helped me get going on carving.

"Whatever works"

[jbboston]

Lynn, Before I started carving, I did cabinet work for thirty years. I considered alot of my finished work to be "art", and they all had metal hardware in them! I believe when all is said and done it doesn't matter what others think, I,m real proud of the work I do.

[Coffeeman]

Lynn, again a great thread.....

What I "really enjoy" about wood carving is the "final piece" itself, that in its itself, regardless if from one piece or assembled.

I view the importance lies in the craftsmanship, the details, the painting, the base, the design/layout all of this comes into play, my main interest is not in determining a "one-piece or assembled" project.

We must continue to progress forward, carving today is not what is was years ago, hay, back then those carvers only used a knife and a stone to keep it sharp.

Look at today's carving and what could be incorporated into a particular piece:

sawned cut-out pattern, computer drawn patterns, roughouts, endless knives, gouges, power tool burrs, grades of sandpaper, glued up stock, kiln dried wood,
fantastic paints, power tools for sharpening, special finishes, glass eyes, pewter feet, endless woodburner tips of choice, background stamps, super glue, bondo, clamps and dog ears, magnification gadgets, etc. etc.

With all that said, woodcarving has really changed in a positive direction.......

Lets keep it changing and moving forward and finally just remember that .....

"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder".

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Theres a good carving for you Bill! "beauty lies in the eyes of the Bee Holder" lol

[Ashbys]

I find this a very interesting post Lynn, more to the point what the limit to consider it a carving?

The more I learn , the more I want to push limits, not just the skill of my hands , but now the skill of my mind as well.

I have seen laser 3-D carvings but should they be consider in the same class as your models?

I think model is a correct word. But from the same rules you stated a laser carving could be considered , while your work would not be. Which I personally find absurd.

But is it considered carving?

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Carving can be just about anything you want it to be. The important thing is to make sure that everyone is aware of just what a certain competition or judge considers a carving. A good example of this is two caricature categories in the Wichita show of a "Single Caricature In A Scene" and a "Single Caricature". A figure of a person with a bird on his shoulder would be considered a "Single Caricature" where if the bird was on the ground at his feet it would become a "Caricature in a Scene". While some might consider this a little odd the rule is clearly spelled out and quite easy to understand. The Tulsa group uses several judges, working as a team to judge each category. Personally, I think this is a good idea as it weeds out some of the bias that is always present when one Judge is involved.

I have long said that the NWCA, being the organization we are all associated with, should do what organizations are meant for and come up with a solid set of rules governing competitions. Unfortunately, the NWCA is really nothing more than a monthly photo gallery and show report.

It would be great if I could go to a show in New York, North Dakota, Texas or California and know that they all would be governed by the same set of rules. Unfortunately, I doubt if that will ever happen.

[Kenny_S]

OH WC, to say carving show judges are no talent twits is a mis justice to these people. 99% are well known Carvers. I would hate to say Geb\ne Sears is a no talent twit or any other judge. I agree with Lynn. There should be a set standard that each show goes by and not just their standards.

Again Lynn, Good topic.
I am off the see the Wizard, the wonder wizard of OZ. Toodles