How to do original woodcarving

[Caril Chasens]

The following is a link to a tutorial on my website:
How to do Original Woodcarving, addressed to woodcarvers who might be interested.

[squbrigg]

We usually post a message, not just a link to some where else?

Bob

[Caril Chasens]

Sorry, Bob. Thought it was self-explanatory, but I do see your point. I edited the post.
C.

[BeaverDon]

You have some good thoughts here. I think of a tutorial more as a step-by-step teaching of how to do something. This seems a little more like a motivational essay. That's just me. maybe you could put together a specific project that teaches one how to come up with an original design from some inspiration or photos from life or an original take on an existing design.. I think that would be helpful to a lot of carvers on this forum.

[gene-messer]

I understand what you are saying .. but I also went to your website and see you do this for a living.. Most carvers on this website carve for fun and enjoyment ..They dont make a living at it nor are they as interested in original pieces as Iam sure you are .. Your work is beautiful and very original .. But the argument of original carvings verses someone carving a similar piece of a carving that has already been done has been discussed for years now and debated sometimes rather extensively ..
Original or not .. to me the finished piece is the answer .. for too long some people have felt that a person who carves pieces that have been carved before are just copying and arent good carvers .. but this is ridiculous .. most people carve to learn and want to have fun .. there are serious carvers and not so serious carvers .. but they are both reaching for one goal .. to bring out the artistic side they have themselves ..
To me unless your making a living doing this .. then enjoy yourself and have fun .. sell a few carvings and continue to feed your creative instincts
BTW .. your work is beautiful and you should be very proud of it .. it is something inside you that see's maybe what others dont see .. but you do see it .. Thank You for sharing it

[Caril Chasens]

I want to stress that I positively do not want to insult or put down people who copy. Copying is CULTURE, honest craft, a valid part of what people do. Of course people should be proud of honest, well done copied work.
To do original work is a calling and a choice. I wrote the article in the hope of encouraging and perhaps offering a bit of help to those people who might want it.
BeaverDon... That may well be a good suggestion, but I am probably not the person to write it. I start out, expect to problem solve and make decisions as I go.