Ward World Championships

noel58 · #1 04-28-2003, 01:58 PM

I spent the weekend at the Ward World Waterfowl Carving Championships in Ocean City, Maryland, and needless to say I came home depressed. Why do I go anyway ??? I took some classes and bought some stuff and I still was overcome by the carving abilities of others. I teach carving at the Ward Museum and still I am blown away at skills of the members.

Maybe I'll take up another hobby I can be good at.

How about a tester in a matress factory ??? :'(

Nancy_G · #2 04-28-2003, 03:11 PM

:-[ Yeah, noel - I've been over on the Decoy Carving Forum looking at the few photos that have been posted so far.
I'll never try to carve a bird.
You TEACH at Ward ??????

mdallensr · #3 04-28-2003, 09:56 PM

I felt the same way the first time I went through Warther's carving museum in Dover, Ohio. I didn't carve for 3 months. Ward's is really worth the visit, and we'll get there this summer. I've come to grips with what I can do and what I can't (and what I have time for). I'm satisfied with any improvement, even if it's gradual, but that world-class stuff is way beyond even my imagination. Those winners are true artists, not just wood carvers.

noel58 · #4 04-29-2003, 11:25 AM

These folks carve with dental picks and magnifying glasses. To me thats too much for me to enjoy. Besides... I never did like the Dentist !!!

noel58 · #5 05-02-2003, 01:34 PM

I have the winning results if anyone is interested. I will email them to you, just let me know.

#6 05-19-2003, 03:35 PM

Don't get discouraged. Keep at it, no one is born with that kind of ability that doesn't have to constantly work at improving their skill level. Practice makes perfect, and perfection is in the eyes of the beholder. If you try your best and spend a minimum of 1/2 hour per day, things will inprove greatly. That is not a lot of time to devote. Over time you will see yourself get better. We all need to keep thinking positive and remember you get out of life what you put into it.

Use your Tools (Heart & Mind) or loose your Tools!

Bandaid · #7 05-19-2003, 05:29 PM

I'm sure most carvers, me included, carve for the enjoyment of a great hobby. If others are better than me, so be it. I still try to improve with each piece and learn from others at shows, in books, and those that contribute their skills to forums such as this one.
I like to play golf too, and I'll never be a Tiger Woods, but what the hey, I still enjoy it.

makenchips · #8 05-20-2003, 08:51 AM

Well said Bandaid. Many times I have become upset with my carvings after looking at others work. It is not that I can't learn and get to that level it is that I don't put the time in that it takes to get there. Maybe one day but for now I know I have other priorities with a family, job, and every other thing that goes with it.

Kenny_S · #9 05-21-2003, 12:41 PM

May I be permitted to add my penny in!! If we all were at the level we wanted to be starting out carving, would we continue on??? Would we be satisfied? I think Bandiaid summed it up. 'There are better carvers than me. So be it..'
I enjoy what I do! I want to be better than I was last week, yesterday, this morning! I will continue to improve(I hope).
I have seen pictures of carvings by the gracious Carvers here and I found myself thinking,'If only I could carve like that.'
Why do we carve??? To be the best carver there is?? Maybe someone has that but for me, enjoyment, relaxation and something my friends and I can talk, post and reply about.

Here is to all carvers. Fulll speed ahead and enjoy what the good Lord has given you>

Well, my soap box is getting a little shaky, so will get off of it now.

Remember, SAFETY FIRST, then enjoy.

Kenny S

mdallensr · #10 05-21-2003, 08:01 PM

Have you noticed you compare your carvings to the best you see at a show, not the worst? I think we all want to improve, and we can see it in our own earlier carvings. We have a lot of educators in our carving groups, and I think carving appeals to them because it can be taught and learned. Many of us will never have the artisitc ability we see in some of our fellow posters, but we can still develop into good carvers.

Everyone in our class has to do the same four carvings to start, and we all get a kick out of watching a new student struggle through them. Then we go home and look at ours and realize we were at that same, starter level. Still, when you see Gibbon's work or the Ward chanpionship carvings, it's hard to imagine ever being that good. I do believe the biggest factor is how much you carve (and hopefull get some criticism). Carve, carve, carve....