[torpidhummer]

What does it take to qualify to be a "MASTER CARVER", is there Carver's Board that determines each stage of a carvers' title,such as Novice on to Master? ,or are these titles that some one just hangs up the wall?
hmmm,just nosey<

Thanks Oscar

A BIG SEMPER FI to all you Mothers

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I have no idea what it takes to be a "Master" at anything. It seems these days you don't really matter unless you're an "Expert" or "Master" at something. To me a master carver would be someone who is satisfied with just working in the background by themselves until long after they've passed someone discovers them. As evidence of this look at the recent thread titled "National Gallery Woodcarving Online. Every carving referred to is by someone whose is probably no longer with us. Now who are we to argue with the "National" Gallery. That place is probably populated by so many "experts" that no shoe sole ever touches the hallways.

[Keoma]

I like the monkey...maybe I can get that title...yeah...Master carver or Saucy Carver or making a monkey out of it...lol...monkey...ha ha ha

[Ashbys]

There are a few "masters"

here is one Master Wood Carver Ian Agrell, Agrell Architectural Carving, Ltd., US and UK offices

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Why would I ever doubt that someone would come up with 101 ways to become a Master Woodcarver.
http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com/...ingSecrets.pdf

[Hugh P.]

In the bird carving community, a person that has won Best of show in the Open class, of World class competetion is classed as a Master bird carver.

[mdallensr]

Europe and Great Britain have carvers and other artists who have satisfied very formal requirments, including a journeyman stint, and are named Master Carvers. We don't have a course of study or set of requirements in the U.S. that establish a "Master Carver". I think it's a little like the the title "Don" in Mexico and Spain, that one just earns and is bestowed by others. Mike

[squbrigg]

Mike is correct, as well, Japan, China, and many Asian countries also still use the old Master program, and the title can only be achieved by a formal apprentishship program, followed by years as a journeyman. The apprentice serves under the master for many years learning and practicing the skills and secrets of the trade. Once he/she has achieved proficiency at all of the levels of apprentishship, can they be approved as a journeyman. The title of Master carver is no different, it takes years as a journeyman until a carver can be qualified as a Master.

North America did not follow the old world traditions ........ I guess they have their own ideas about how one is qualified as a Master.

Heard a joke once from an old carving instructor friend of mine: "An American came in to a seminar and asked if the had to take the two week course to become a Master Carver or could he become on by just taking a one week course!" LOL To me, that says it all about the attitude of North American's towards the traditional skills!

Call yourself what ever you like, it doesn't mean a thing unless you can do all of the tasks a Master Carver could. The are proficient in many varieties of styles of carvings, not just good in a single area.

Bob

[Keoma]

le sigh...to apprentice for a master...what a daydream...hmmm

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Those North Americans.... What an undisciplined bunch of yahoos!