50 Little Birds for Blue Stone Folk School

[bluestone]

I volunteer for an underfunded but important not-for-profit that works to preserve and perpetuate traditional arts. Our goal is to bring folks together, masters and students, in a retreat setting to explore their art.

We've had success with classes in letterpress, ukulele playing and building, musical performances and carving.

We've worked hard to develop a solid image producing a nice website, regular emails, posters and a journal. About six months ago our computer died and much of our PR ground to a halt.

In order to raise money for a new computer, I've donated my next fifty bird carvings in a program called "50 Little Birds for Blue Stone Folk School".

My birds are not details or accurate. In the manner of some of our favorite early 20th c. carvers they capture an essence of the bird without being fussy.

I am documenting this project on my blog. So far I've written about why I carve in the style that I do, how I approach new projects and an announcement for a class associated with the project.

Over the course of the next few months I will attmept to sell birds and teach simple whittling techniques. Every penny generated fromthis project will go directly to the Folk School's fund for a new computer and technology.

Please visit the blog and leave your thoughts. Visit our very outdated, but interesting website, here.

[mark yundt]

I wish you all the luck to achieve your goal.... sounds like a wonderful place to be and a worthy persuit.

Detailed and fussy? They don't have to be when they look like the piece you're showing here. Looks period perfect,style, pose,paint finish,,, and I think you should do well.
Now just get carving to get that new computer up and running.

[bluestone]

That's high praise coming from you! Thanks.

BTW - I stumbled on your blog today...before I saw your post...very good reading!

Geoff

[mark yundt]

Good work is good work! Call 'em as I see 'em.

Glad you enjoyed the blog. We're hoping to make it interesting with a variety topics, carvings, how to's and techniques. Only been up a short time but knowing how prolific both Doris and I can be it won't take long to have a nice collection of our work and thoughts about carving.
Stop in again.
And best of luck to you.

Mark

[bluestone]

I didn't have access to this photo when I made my first post. I love the penguins of Charles Hart. Here's my take.

[mark yundt]

You certainly have the painting techniques down pat. And though I'm not familiar with the carvings of Charles Hart you have captured a style that carries from piece to piece. Simple in design, but something about them is ,,, shall I say,, charming?

[bluestone]

Charles Hart Penguins...

He carved them from 1" - 36"