Mask Carving

[Little mermaid]

Hi everybody
I'm from Jersey in the British Channel Islands, and this year I'm looking for some new inspiration - I have a great passion for woodcarving, especially masks, and I want to do a short course in mask carving.

It's not that simple though. I love primitive art, and want to study somewhere far away, somewhere wild, different, a new culture. I'm willing to travel anywhere for the right course and for some great inspiration. Perhaps an African mask carving course, or Papua New Guinea.

Does anyone know of any such courses? It doesn't even have to be a structured course - just somewhere I could sit quietly and learn from a master.

Thanks, and I look forward to your replies.

Little Mermaid

[Mottles]

Sorry, can't help ya with the far away idea, but sure can welcome you.
Kathy

[Claude]

The current issue of Wood Carving Illustrated, Woodcarving Illustrated - Summer 2009 Issue 47 has an article on Maori wood carving in New Zealand. If I remember correctly, the Maori do a lot of mask carving. Perhaps the carver in the article could hold a class for you, or tell you where one can be found.

Claude

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

welcome to the forum.

Dave

[Riverman]

Hi Little Mermaid, welcome to the group!
Bob

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Little Mermaid. It's nice to have you here with us. What a wonderful adventure it will be.

[Little mermaid]

Hey thanks everyone for your warm welcomes. It's not just about the carving, it's about the learning, the journey and the adventure. NZ might be a bit far for me - I'm probably only going to be allowed a week off from the kids this time! Will keep searching. That's half the fun anyway. Little Mermaid

[James_Dukeshire]

I would highly reccomend Geisler Moroder in Austria and they are probably one of the most experienced mask carvers I've ever heard of.

Schnitzschule Geisler-Moroder: Krampusmaskenkurs vom 02.03. - 07.03.2009

Masks in Austria are like a religion, they are passionate about them and the craftsman have been making them in Austria for generations. Check out the detail on the masks shown at the link above, its quite amazing! The carvers at that school that were teaching could do in 30 minutes what I have seen other carvers, even ones who claimed to be experienced, in 4-5 hours.

I went for two weeks there, instructers spoke good english, course was at a very fair price, accomodation and food was amazing, and the instructors were full time commission woodcarvers parttime instucters who had gone to school for five years studying woodcarving. One of my instructers I had when I went there for two weeks had about 35 years of woodcarving experience.

My visit there entirely changed how I wood carve.

[Little mermaid]

Oh my goodness - the Austrian place looks fantastic! I reckon I might go for the week long mask course. The devil pictures are incredible. Thanks so much for the info.