[falconer]

Anybody else ever a time in there carving career when it wasn't fun anymore? When everything they try to carve just doesn't seem to work out? I know I've been there a couple times in my career and it was not fun! I put my tools down for 8 months one time not sure if it was burn out or looking for a new direction. Eventually the "need" to carve came back, but for awhile there it was sure scary. How about you guys? Anyone ever gone through something like this?


www.sierracreekstudios.com

[GaryMc]

When that happens to me and it does at times, I just start looking at other's carvings, in Mags or from all the pictures that I have downloaded from the web. It stimulates me to care and to carve better. Not sure if that works for all but it does for me.
GaryMc

[Eddy Smiles]

When it comes to carving sometimes you're the dog and sometimes you're the hydrant! It's bound to happen sooner or later that a carving or two doesn't turn out the way as planned. I find this especially true after a marathon carving run where, like now, the number of carvings ready to be painted have taken up all my spare shelf space. I just wait it out and sooner or later the urge to chip away comes back!

[Just Carving]

Wait it out...look for inspiration in mags, books, or other people's work...make some tools...draw some pattterns...paint some carvings that I've had sitting around forever...go for a walk....go for another loooonnnngggg walk....watch TV...That's what usually gets me back in the saddle--you seen the mindnumbing junk they put on there?!?!?...SHEESH!!!

Don't sweat it Falconer. It'll come back. A carving slump's like a fever---you don't feel like doing diddly for a while then all of a sudden you get a riproaring urge to pick up a piece of wood and chip away like a beaver. You'll get there. Take a break and enjoy it. Before you know it you'll forget all about your downtime.

Bob L

[AlArchie]

Yep, know the feelin'! Been in my own slump for over a year now, and hope it breaks soon. If not, guess I'll find something elst to do.

Al

[susieq]

Yes, yes, yes!!!!
A couple of years ago, deadlines were taking all the fun out of it. Pressure to produce a certain amount of work for them.... it was awful. I sat down at the computer and sent an email to them saying that deadlines were just killing the creativity and I would not carve to deadlines anymore. If I carved something, I would send it...if not, then nothing was coming. I felt so much better after sending that email that I was able to carve again almost right away.

Haven't had it since. But if deadlines are not the problem, maybe just being in a rut. Do something different...or if you have gotten away from doing what you love, go back to it. Carve an old favorite again.
Look at the work of someone who inspires you....like maybe Ian Norbury!!

Maybe other problems outside of carving......job stress, personal life problems, are sapping your creative energy or too much of a distraction. Those are not so easily solved. Getting lost in your carving to escape those things for a little while is nice if you can do it. What ever it is, I hope you overcome it.

[K_C]

Hey guys that slump is as common as there are carvers I would say and its a double slam when you try and make your self carve when you dont want to because you usualy dont do as well as you know you can then comes the I cant do this or never will be as good as so and so . I say try a differant style of carving give your self a challenge to learn something new . Carve something for yourself for your own house . I remember a time when I had no feeling at all for carving I mean dead to it, I dont know why I just didnt want to do it anymore then I just started back one day and so far I have been carving nearly every day . I tell you one more thing add something to your carving you dont know how to do and learn how to do it to complete the carving this new thing kinda gives you a renewed look at what you are doing besides you cant learn if you dont challenge yourself . Dont stop learning .

Ken Carter

[squbrigg]

Don't dispair Falconer, this too will pass. As with most carvers, I go through periods when motivation evaporates, nothing seems fun any more, nothing seems to work any more. I find that if I just set things aside, do something else for a while, the feeling will usually pass.

I will often get back to basics. Read for a while, watch a movie or three, sit outside and enjoy the passing days, and especially, take lots of walks in the woods. Sit by a stream and listen! That is usually what helps me, ..... clear the clutter from your mind!

Hang in there buddy! The passion will return, I am certain of it.

Bob

[Pete Rieger]

Aaaaah the slump. I get at least 2 a year. September after doing the farmers market every saturday since April, and right after xmas when I'm so sick of woodspirits I could barf. Those are burnouts more than slumps really.In the odd time when I'm feeling unmotivated\uninspired, I'll clean out the shop,sharpen hand tools,maintain chainsaws,gather and organise wood etc. In other words, I get physically prepared, which often prepares me mentally and spiritually to re-enter the creative process.

[Eddy Smiles]

Pete... Excellent perspective.