[Pyrographer]

I apologize for not introducing myself when I joined yesterday. I forgot thatmost of you have probably never heard of me...

My name is Nedra Denison, I'm a self taught woodburner who's been burning for about 6 years I discovered woodburning for the first time at a woodcarving rally in Fredericksburg, TX...we lived there for about 9 years before moving to the Olympia, WA area 1-1/2 years ago. I was intrigued by the burning but I found most of the people were merely burning outlines with no shading so I set out to find a way to create more natural, lifelike burnings. The technique I came up with through trial and error, I refer to as the "smooth shading technique" which I prefer because it looks like an old sepia photo...this is my personal preference but not the only style of burning.

I attended many woodcarving shows throughout Texas, won many awards and was finally asked to teach a class back in 2002 and have been teaching ever since. When I first started burning I relied on patterns like many people but after some bad experiences with bad patterns, I stopped using patterns and rely mostly on photographs for my designs.

After much coaxing (or should I say pushing) I wrote an instructional book for more advanced burners (I tend to do things a little different than most people) because I had received so many requests from people for help burning lifelike portraits from photographs. Once that was done I started working on a more basic instructional book for beginners (I told you I do things a little different, most people start at the beginning rather than the end!).

After a 12 year absense I am back working for the VA and hope to retire this year. I still teach when I have time and sometimes even find some time for burning, especially now that I am retired from writing books .

We are hoping to travel once I retire to fulfill some commitments for classes on the other side of the world...the east coast, where I grew up!

Nedra

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Nedra, I apologize for not being able to sooner. This board is a wonderful place to chat carving, burning , tools and woods, and you will find the nicest folks hanging around here! Glancing through your site, I see we have much to learn for your skill in burning. Nice work. Love the Bald Eagle and the latest rose!

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Oh I have heard of you Nedra, Seen you, talked to you and bought supplies from you when you were in Tulsa. Love your work.
Was down your way a few months ago but time did allow me to stop in Denison for a chat. Hope to do so one of these days. Ah to burn 1/10th as well as you and I would be satisfied, for sure.

[Pyrographer]

Hi Ken, we're now in Washington State. We're going to be out traveling again and perhaps will get back to the show in Oklahoma City. Maybe next year.

Thanks you for the wonderful compliments. All it takes is practice, practice, practice