[Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach]

At last after much urging from friends I have stepped into cyberspace and joined the message board. I started carving in 1979 in my homeland of South Africa, at a time when mostly women were learning to carve as a hobby. I was self taught and enjoyed doing relief carvings. In 1986, one year before I left for a wonderful job opportunity as an Occupational Therapist in Canada, I met and carved with Potty Vikos, a Greek Master carver. This was time well spent and I learnt mostly through observing him carve. I am grateful that he allowed me to use his carving tools (versus my tiny miniature tools) and that I learnt a functional type of architectural carving that I enjoy carving today.
In Canada, I started to explore other forms of carving and in the early 1990's started teaching and was asked to judge some local wood shows. Fortunately one my first shows I was teamed up to judge with Neil Cox and Ken Hussey at the Woodstock Wood show and so I had to do very little but learn the ropes from them. I started a small woodcarving business "Anything but Birds", and started attending workshops with many great carvers from the States. This was time well spent too.
However, I muddled along with carving until I met John and Nancy Burke from Ithaca, Nebraska. I met them at a local Kitchener wood show of all places in 1997! They came to London for the next 3 years to teach and in 1999 they invited me on a scholarship to attend their Western and Wildlife Art Workshops in Crete, Nebraska. I had the pleasure of carving under the instruction of Vic Hood who carves BIG STUFF. Both John Burke and Vic Hood encouraged me to carve seriously and advised me that I had more ability than I allowed myself to use. This was a turning point in my woodcarving life and I am grateful to both these artists as being instrumental in giving me an artistic kick in the butt. John and Nancy have helped many other carvers improve their artform and if you don't know who John is, take a few minutes to google him on the internet.
I would also encourage any Canadians who are reading this to find out more about John's workshop in late July as it truly is my week long "spa" holiday and one I will not miss. (email Warren J. Blessing at <ctvalleywc@yahoo.com)
I love carving but truly what makes it special is all of the woodcarvers I have met on my travels within Ontario and throughout the States. Many of these carvers are now lifelong friends I enjoy seeing many of them in Crete, NE (July) and the International Woodcarvers Congress hosted by the Affiliated Wood Carvers, Ltd (June 21 to 29).
More recently (2005) due to illness I am not working, but on the positive side I can now carve when I want to and enjoy my carving friends. It's funny that when the stuff hits the fan, you find out who your friends are and fortunately I can tell you it is and continues to be my carving friends who make the difference to me each day. You know who you are.
I plan to enjoy this message board and hope that I can be of help to some new carvers as I was helped when I started out. At least on the internet I can't be accused of having an accent. (smile)
Mary-Ann

[Irishman]

Wow Mary-Ann, it sounds like you experienced a life time of carving with the carvers you have encountered and the places you have travelled. I'm anxious to see some of your work so please share when your ready. I'd be interested in hearing more about this week long carving retreat in July you mentioned. I'll google John's site as well. I'm still very much an amateur carver (hobby) trying to move beyond just doing faces. With your years of learning, you'll be a real asset to this message board. Glad to have you along with us.
Patrick

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Welcome to the group. How about some photos of your work?

[kitaye]

Welcome Mary-Ann. I would love to see some of your work. I love architectural carvings but am not talented in that direction at all.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Mary Ann. That's a very impressive resume, you should fit right in here. Lots of great carvers and lots of great people.

Bob

[torpidhummer]

Great to have you aboard,Mary-Ann and remember "they whom make fun about your accent, should look twice at themselves", a quote from Oscar's rule book.
Oscar

[Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach]

Hello Patrick, Lynn, Bob and cat slave (I too am a proud cat slave!!!)
Thanks for the welcome!
I have not done a website yet but some of my older carvings can be seen at a website called "Carvers gallery.ca".
Unfortunately I haven't taken many photos of my architectural work or it was taken way back and the quality may be questionable. So all you will see is the ornate style clock at then end of my gallery of photos.

Patrick, if you email Warren Blessing at the email address I mentioned he will send you the entire blurb with a list of all the instructors and what their projects will be. It is incredible value for money with room and board, food and tuition all under $500.00. We stay in a luxury compared to most, college dormitory and all the rooms and the tuition rooms are air conditioned which is needed in July. We have between 80 to 100 carvers so you get to know everyone and it is a wonderful learning experience.
Regards
Mary-Ann

[slather]

Welcome Maryanne , Thankyou so much for the info on the carving retreat, will look into it as soon as I get home in April. Your resume has me intreged , I am really looking forward to seeing your work.

Al


http://picasaweb.google.com/al.hillis/WOODCARVINGSMINE

[Colin_Partridge]

Welcome aboard girlfriend it has been a long time since we have been in touch. Must be two or three years anyway BTW how is Phil Orchard doing. For those of you that dont know Mary-Ann she is a wonderful carver and taught me a thing or two when I was starting out. Her attention to detail is second to none and her human carvings are amazing. Nice to have you here I know that the carving community will benifit greatly for having you on board. Look forward to talking with you maybe I will see you at Kitchener wood show this year.
Colin

[Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach]

Hi Colin,
Yes I'll be in Kitchener and Phil and I will have booths next to each other. Fred Zavadil, Phil and I are judging this year so it will be a fun time for sure as I'll be knocked about the head by their elbows (they are both a lot taller than I am).
You won't believe it - I have just tried my hand at chainsaw carving - mostly to get wood down to manageable hand tool carving size. Robbin Wenzoski (brave man) is teaching me first about the safety and mechanical aspects - since carving a little, I have already decided that I like this kind of carving.
See you next month. Mary-Ann