[kitaye]

I've been in a carving funk recently. I have several carving s on the go, along with several other designs down on paper but I haven't been able to put knife to wood without ruining my attempts.

What do you do to get out of a carving dry spell?

[Keoma]

...a kick *** carving spurt when its over!

[AlArchie]

Sorry, can't help ya much....been in a funk myself for almost 2 years now! AAArrrrrggggghhhh........

Al

[papasar]

Carve a small gift and surprise someone. You make someone happy - their reaction makes you happy and that may be just what you need to get your drive back. Its kinda like the expression "you have to give it away to keep it". A little attention coming our way is good once in a while.
Bill K.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Go to a woodcarving show!

[Kenny_S]

Yep,I would like a dry spell around here! Wet. Sorry!

Lynn has a great idea. Seems like when I have a dry spell, it is a carving show or a class.

[sharon cottrell]

I agree with Bill K.(Papasar). Also try a different art form. When I quilt or paint or paint quilts, I usually get ideas for carving.Same with sculpting with other materials. Good walk in the woods or at the beach also helps me. You'll get it back....sharon

[Just Carving]

In case of emergency--or in this particular case, a "carving funk"--which of course, is an EXTREME emergency to a wood carver. Right kitaye?!?! Well anyway, follow these directions--no questions, no comments, no responses and above all---NO BUDIDONWANNADODAT's! Got it?!?! Good!

1. Pick up a knife. Huh? No, it don't matter what kinda knife--just pick the darn thing up willya?!?! Kids--always givin me a hard time!
2. Is it sharp? WHADDYA MEAN YA DON'T KNOW?!?! Well, go strop the thing--at least that'll be a start.
3. Pick up a piece of wood. I DON'T CARE JUST PICK UP A PIECE OF WOOD! Basswood, cherry, pine, aspen, it don't matter! If you can cut a chip of the piece of wood it's good! Kids--alway making a project out of a chore!
4. Start making chips. NOW DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE I'M SOME KINDA FOOL! START MAKIN CHIPS!!!
5. Make some more chips--big chips, little chips, square chips, round chips, long chips, short chips, chips that pop, chips that snap, chips that strip, chips that don't make any sound at all.....
6. Okay ya still makin chips? NO?!?!? Now did I tell you to stop?!?! GIT BACK THERE AND MAKE DEM CHIPS!
7. HEY!!! WHY ARE ALL THESE CHIPS ALL OVER THE PLACE?!?!?! DID I TELL YOU TO GET THE CHIPS ALL OVER THE PLACE?!?! NOOOO----I DIDN'T----DID I?!?!? Now put that stuff down and go get a broom and clean this mess up. Now had you just stuck with what you had started to begin with, you wouldn't be cleaning up this mess that YOU made. Maybe that'll be a lesson to you--don't complain...don't whine...don't be wishing you could carve...JUST CARVE! YA GOT THAT---the only thing in this entire world you should be concerned with is JUST CARVING!!! Now get back there and carve---and I don't want to hear it!!! Kids--all they do is complain about how hard they got it...did ever tell you about the time I had to forge a knife from dirt....NO?!?!?! Well let me tell ya.......click

Ladies and gentlemen,

This has been discontinued in the interest of the mental health and safety of all wood carvers around the world. We are sorry for any pain or discomfort caused to you dedicated wood carvers. We know how much love, care, and interest you put into your work. We wish you good wood, sharp knives and happy carving! NOW GIT BACK TO WORK!!

[Ron T]

Hello Kitaye,

I agree with the others about going to a show. We've got three or four around the Greater L.A. area each year and it seems I'm in brainfreeze mode in between.

I've been going thru the gallery and every once in a while a carving will trigger some memory or feeling and I get a completely different idea that gets me going. The other thing I do is start a new carving of an old design. I try to change it a little or improve on something I didn't like on the old one. As long as you're carving, you're keeping and improving your skills.

I thought I was the only one who sat there frozen trying to come up with ideas.

[vacation212]

Leave it,just walk away,don,t look back don,t pay any attention to your carvings or wood and before you know it you will be back at it again.