What is your artistic background?

Goodmorning Gang,
I was looking at the Santa's this morning on the holiday carving thread and I was in awe of the fantastic painting abilities of some of the members of this board. Not only the santa carvers but also the bird and character carvers. I would be interested as I am sure others would be to find out what kind of artistic background you all have. Are any of you or have you been canvas painters before woodcarving. I will start this off, I myself have always painted since I was a child and have done some wildlife paintings many years ago. After that I decided to try another art form Taxidermy, rewarding but very messy. I am glad I discovered woodcarving but wish I had discovered it long before I did.
Colin

[Nancy-G]

No education, no training, no 'background'. I've just always painted --- can't remember when I didn't. I did canvas paintings of landscapes and wildlife until I discovered carving in Aug. '87.
Someday I'll get energetic and post some photos of my paintings ....... you lucky people : : :

I have no 'artistic background' as far as any training, classes, etc. I have whittled (chains, ball-in-cage, fans, etc.) for decades and have dabbled in a number of crafts but nothing has kept my interest like carving.

Considered myself an artist when a kid. My high school architectural drawing instructor's opinion was a 7 year old could do better. Have improved vastly in past 50 years. Ron A.

I used to draw a lot as a kid. Mostly pencil - sketching and cartoons. Went to landscape watercolors and a few wildlife scenes a little later - all without any formal training. My work was good, just not professional quality. Much like my carving - I would get something 90% complete and then go to another project. Found more enjoyment in carving and it's easier to put down during a project!

There's a 'funny' (?) story with my early art experiments....

I found my Dad's hidden Penthouse magazines on day - I was around 14 or so. I would copy the pictures with pencil drawings. I hid the pictures behind a drawer and forgot about them. Four years later my parents found the pictures when moving furniture - switching my stuff for my brother to take over my room as I was going to college. Mom was upset, but my Dad took me aside later and complimented me. I was EMBARRASSED to say the least. I really think they were too.

[David_Aaron_Sercel]

I have had no formal art education, but I have always enjoyed drawing, sketching, carving, and various other forms of art. I learned the painting from reading books, talking to other people, and just by trail and error. I guess the first 'art' I ever did was just drawing various subjects, but now mainly birds.

David

[woody01]

When I first started carving I drew stick people. Today I draw stick people with clothing.

Woody01

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Once again a Great thread Collin!!

No training persey...I have been a Printer by trade for 37 years...have a good eye for color and composition. I'm used to dealing in thousandsths of and inch making a difference in how a printed piece turns out. So I guess I am pretty detail oriented...safety oriented also!

Chahlie

[squbrigg]

No formal training, just learned by doing, reading about it and doin' some more. Use to sketch as a kid, and tried some painting after my accident disabled me, but I sucked at it, so stuck with ship modelling and figured out another way of carving.

Bob