[Texas_Jim]

I am relatively new to carving and I have tried a few different kinds such as in the round, hiking sticks and relief carving (primarily from one of the books by Irish).

My problem is focusing on one particular area. All these areas are interesting and beckoning exploration.

What has motivated you to focus in on relief carving instead of one of the other areas of wood carving or how did you know you were meant to be a relief carver?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Well for me...I didn't focus! I just carve whatever comes along and strikes my fancy. they say you will settle down to one subject when you grow up....hummmmm

[Just Carving]

Hey Texas!

I just started out last Winter with the thought of just keeping it simple and carving letters and doing sign carving but then I got bit by the bug!

Now I am trying to learn other things about wood carving. One time, I'm carving small signs, another, trying to carve a beginner's mouse, another, trying my hand at a little relief carving. Now it's trying to make my own tools! If I get stumped or frustrated, I put it down for another time. I try again, or I just do something else carving related with the intent of coming back to whatever I was having trouble with some other time.

I haven't really been enamored by any one type of carving. I do find making my own tools really interesting. Right now, it's mostly a learning experience--not only in how to make the tools and sharpening them but also what works for me, i.e. handles, length of tools, etc. I could buy the tools, but that's no challenge. Besides, I'd end up modifying whatever I bought if I didn't like it! And that's big bucks if I mess up!

So, it's okay to be looking around and seeing what appeals to you the most. But most important, HAVE FUN!! And if you get frustrated or run into some hard stuff don't let it steer you away. You can put it down for a bit, come here for help, or Google up some answers to the problem, but don't let it get to you because beating that challenge gives you the best feeling! I think if I gave in to the challenge, then wood carving would be no different than any other hobby that gets boring after a while.

Go carve something--even it's a turkey!

Bob

[squbrigg]

By experimenting with various forms of carving , you will find your niche. You will know what it is when you find it. It will be something that motivates you to do more, try more difficult projects, do better! You will find yourself anxious to finish the project at hand because an idea has hit you during the porject, that you want to try next. It becomes a passion, perhaps an obsession....part of you. You will know it when it strikes you. But don't worry about finding it....it will find you. Everything that you carve is gaining you experience for when you find your passion! So carve every style that you can, it will all help you in the end.

Just an opinion.

Bob

[Just Carving]

You will find yourself anxious to finish the project at hand because an idea has hit you during the project, that you want to try next.

Boy! Bob, if that isn't the truth! Now my problem is there aren't enough hours in the day with work, yardwork, housework, etc. to do the amount of carving work that I want! Hmmm...maybe I could retire about 20 years early? Oh, yeah, I'd like to eat! Oh, well, I guess I'll have to lose a few pounds! LOL

Bob

[GWhite]

Speaking of Relief carving and motivation, I just received in the mail yesterday Lora Irish's book Landscapes in Relief. WOW! I have been wanting to try some landscaping and old house/barn type relief carving. This definitely looks like the book to learn on.

I started out, not very long ago, thinking I was only interested in carving in the round. I decided to try some line carving and then my first relief carving. It was an Indian head profile out of one of my books. I had so much fun carving it that I can't wait to start my next.

I think that relief carving has definitely gotten under my skin.

On the other hand, I'm just happy "carving".

I'm not trying to find one form of carving to settle in with and am still learning more everyday.

The creation of a "piece" is what excites me most and I want to try all forms of carving to test myself, to learn more, and to have a better understanding of whats involved.

Over time I'm sure that I will drift towards one area over another, but right now in my "learning stadges" I want to experience as much as possible, most likely end up being a "jack of all trades, master of none" but it will be lots of fun.

The bottom line for me right now is that: I don't want to focus in just one area of carving.

[Irish]

Hey Texas Jim,

Thanks for the nice words, and thank you to GWhite.

I am a relief carver BECAUSE I don't want to get tied down to one theme, style, type of carving. There are some of us that have found their niche and taken their work to the highest of standards in that niche. My hat is off to them. Take for example a duck decoy carver that creates extremely realistic, feather by feather, carvings. They can easily spend 500 hours working on one small carving ... and as they are doing that carving they are already planning the next duck decoy work.

Now, me, I am more of a buffet supper carver. I want to do a little bit of everything. I want to do ducks, landscapes, celtic crosses, and maybe throw in a bit of folk art along the way and never forget wood spirits. That's why I decided on relief work. With relief I can do a duck with detailed feathers in just a few days or a couple of weeks. Then I can move on and do that landscape idea that is sketched out of the drawing table, and then on to the ......

I have fun doing my carving, figuring out each new puzzle and then move on to a new puzzel pattern. Buffet supper carving - a taste of everything on the dining table of carving! I will never be a great carver because I already know I will never settle down long enough to absolutely perfect my skills but I sure am having one fantastic time along the way.

Susan

[Texas_Jim]

Susan,
Thanks for the input and insight into relief carving and what motivates a relief carver. I also tend to jump from one subject matter to another so maybe relief carving is the common factor.

Jim Pope

[BobD]

I never looked at it that way Susan! I've got a bad case of Carvers ADD--my doc say I have regular ADD too, but what does he know (LOL). I've started MANY more carving projects than I've ever finished!

Bob