[Don by the lake]

I kind of have an issue with the rating system we have in the carvers gallery. If you will notice, either a person gets a 10 or nothing at all. This tells me that if someone has a carving that is judged to be less than a 10, folks don't want to rate the carving for possibly hurting someones feelings. It is very hard to rate someone anyway because you don't know if they are a novice or a professional or somewhere in between. I think the rating system should either go away or a better way of rating be used. I know this isn't a show but carvers should get honest opinions on how their carvings stack up against their peers so that they can work towards improvement.

[BobD]

Thanks for your feedback, Don. We're researching different software for the gallery that will make it easier to upload, and we'll keep your feedback in mind as we look at different software. Because we're looking at different software, though, I'm not sure it wil be worth it to make any changes to the gallery in the short term.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[dmatias]

I agree with Don.

The feedback from the other carvers is very helpful but the rating isn't necessary.

[Mottles]

I agree, we don't need the rating system most folks leave a short comment anyway. What it does do is allow the veiwer to rate the carving with or without commenting if they wish. For the most part folks give a 10-- I might be the exception I think someone gave me a 3 or 5. LOL
Kathy

[xsailer]

I agree we are too nice. On the other hand though we really don't know the experience level,age, capabilities and so forth of contibutors. No body wants to slam dunk a carver. The written word has proven to be limiting sometimes on the forum as it would be anywhere. You can't see the smirk or gentle laugh body language to a gig in the ribs. I thought we decided previously, after a round of off-hand remarks, that if you wanted a "real" critque, ask for it. We've gotten away from that agreement lately. It's hard to seriously critque forum folks.

[xsailer]

Another thought, I think most folks that create "artwork" want to compare their stuff to others stuff. Pictures of "stuff" on the forum gives us a chance to do that comparison and in our hearts of hearts we have a good idea where we would be on a "grading" scale. It's nice to show off to other carvers our work not to say anything of learning different techniques that we may incorporate in our "stuff" yet to be done.

As for Don's comments, I agree. I really expect to get better in part from others feedback.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

A year or so ago I wrote a post about "Blowing Smoke" when commenting on other's carvings. I said that I would only give honest answers if I made an observation about a certain piece. Reflecting back I don't think that people really want to know honest opinions from others regarding their work. Sure, there are those who appreciate a valid criticism but most prefer only positive words.

I think it would be great if we could have a new thread titled "Critic's Corner" where a carver could offer a piece of his work for open and honest answers about how others really feel about it. I would love to see a comment that starts out "That's a real nice attempt, but........" Just like handing in our papers in school to be graded those rules apply in learning how to carve.

One thing I always do is, when reading a comment I might think a little questionable, I go to the threads or gallery of that person making the comment to see if I think they're qualified to make such an observation. We have lots of opinions and different types of carvings on this forum and while one carver might be an expert or socalled "master" in a certain area they might not know squat about another.

So how about it Bob? Critics Corner?

[xsailer]

Lynn,
I disagree with you about people not wanting honest opinions of their work, at least I’d like to think that of most people. I'm sure there are a few that like the attaboys.
I really like your idea of a Critics Corner. If you venture in “Critics Corner” area you need to be ready for HONEST AND FRANK opinions. I would think you would want to break it up somehow into different levels of expertise though. If you don't the participants would be the very finest of carvers and although I'm sure they would appreciate the praise - YOU DON'T NEED IT!
I’m wondering what BobD has up his sleeve because of his comments.

[Ashbys]

Lynn,

I think this was settled , by requiring the person asking for the critique. Asking what do you think , opens a honest request for suggestions, improvements , and points of suggestions.

A critic is a self proclaimed opinion with out a directed point. A art critic doesn't address the artist , he addresses the crowd. He doesn't offer suggestions of improvement , he only gives his impression. There is a major difference.

Also it is my understanding that the forumn , is to promote wood carving in all of its aspects, and to allow beginners a place where they can receive advice , help and support , from the authors , and members of this board. All of those opinions have their place. To promote this forum and WCI which is like no other I have seen.

I think you use that to your advantage as much as anyone else here on the forum, would you like to here " Well for a model ......
To what purpose would it serve .

Ash

[DADDIO]

here's a couple of cents of mine,this whole concept is kind of touchy,as far as new carvers go,which i haven't been carving that long myself. but i remember when i first started and am self taught,still was carving the flat faced, flat nosed ,strange eyed first woodspirit faces that alot of people start out doing.a member of the craftsman guild of mississippi mr. george berry who is a superb carver a master carver,put on a local demonstration that i went to and carried a few of my pitiful faces for critique.i think this was a pivitol moment in my carving life he could have been very critical but he wasn't he was very kind and pointed out the good aspects of my carving and offered kind suggestions.i walked away from that meeting on cloud nine cause he made me feel good about what i had done right.i ran into mr. berry several times the next couple of years and we always spoke and he was really nice.2 years ago i showed him my carving "wounded knee" and he offered me the application to apply to join the mississippi craftsman guild. i was shocked he is a founding member. bottom line i applied and was juried in this past year,which still shocks me!! but it was that moment when encouraging words were offered that made the difference between possibly quitting and saying this ain't for me or going on to pursue something i love dearly.long winded i know but i think if it's gonna be done either beginners need too really want the truth if they venture in there but also some discretion about how things are said,it could mean the same for someone else as far as them quitting or going on.and like has been stated before as far as typing something there is no tone or inflection like in speaking so comments maybe taken totally the wrong way.i think it would be neat to have the critique corner and enter at you own risk just make sure you want to enter but we also need to be careful too. i know i'm rambling.......where's my knife...