[Woodcarver] Question 1, Question 2, Question 3

[Classic Carving Patterns]

1. Who taught you to carve, if you were taught by someone else?
I was taught by my father who was a gun stock carver.  He had long been
into restoring antique firearms especially those used during the Civil
War.  As his hobby branched out from the lock mechanisms and barrels to
include working the stock area he took up low relief carving for
decorations.  Now my Dad was also a Mechanical Engineer so was very
exacting in his drawings and execution, something that he insisted I
learn when I picked up this craft.  Woodworking, cabinetry, and carving
always was a part of our household.  He also loved chip carving (another
story for another time).

Now, this long story goes ... Dad, because of illness, could no longer
do his woodworking or gun restoration so he gave my husband some of his
tools and equipment. You will note here that it was the 'man of the
family' that he gave the tools too ... Never considering that 'his girl'
would be interested in such stuff :) Along with the equipment came a
huge pile of dusty, well read magazines about woodworking. So while Mike
is down in the workshop lovingly experimenting with the new table saw
and router, I was up at the house reading the magazines.  I came across
a Wood Magazine that had an article in it about 'How to carve a bird
feather'.  Being industrious I went and got myself a scrap of old pine
... I mean one of the end pieces you cut off and throw over on the floor
... Then went to my art box and got an x-acto knife and jumped right
into the instructions.  Since the x-acto didn't seem to be doing what I
wanted I headed next to my kitchen and got my favorite paring knife.
Now that worked!  After two or so days of whittlin' I had myself a
feather.  Not a good feather but a feather none the less.  It was about
a half inch thick and about four inches wide, odd now that I think about
this that old pine scrap was about a half inch thick and four inches
wide!  So, proudly, I trundeled off to show my Dad my first attempt.  He
looked it over, snorted a few times especially when I told him how I did
it and what tools I used, and just said "Nice."    AHHHH!

A couple of weeks later it was Christmas morning and under Dad's tree
was a package waiting for me.  It contained a set of gouges, two bench
knives, and a pile of basswood blocks. My Dad told me firmly that "If
you are going to try carving you're gonna learn it right!" Dad's illness
over the next year and half left him bed ridden and needing constant
care, something that I often helped my Mother with.  So that time
sitting beside my Dad in his sick bed were spend by him teaching and me
carving.  Sometimes I think that he was the one doing the carving, he
was just using my hands since his no longer had the strength.  A few
days after Dad died Mom gave me his carving tools, saying it was the one
thing that he specifically wanted ME to have.  

So, although my first piece is a nightmare story about how NOT to try
your first carving, in the end carving for me is a very special craft
that my Dad and I shared.  Today, I still often hear him in my head
telling me how to hold the gouge, where to make the next cut, remember
your grain ... And that is great!


2. How many of you are "self taught" (which could include using books,
etc.)?
I have had little chance to take classes or seminars over the years but
I would challenge anyone to have a harder taskmaster than their parent
who was also a college educated Engineer and Draftsman. :) I have my
household so stuffed with books it's not even laughable.  I go by my
husband's Aunt's philosophy "She who dies with the most books, Wins!"
Aunt Kay was a librarian and beat us all in this area.

3. How many of you started carving "late in life" (use your own
discretion)?
LOL Doesn't how late in life I started depend on when I die ... And
since I haven't died yet I'm not sure I can give an estimate of whether
it was near the early part, middle, or end stage.  Where does about 40
years old come into this picture?

Hope everyone is having a great Spring holiday weekend.

Susan Irish

Carving Patterns Online
Designs Online Since 1997!
Classic Carving Patterns By L.S.Irish
http://www.CarvingPatterns.com
http://www.WoodCarvingPatterns.com



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-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of
KnifeCut at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 7:09 AM
To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Question 1, Question 2, Question 3


In a message dated 4/10/2004 6:09:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
stephenhatfield at bellsouth.net writes:


1. Who taught you to carve, if you were taught by someone else?

2. How many of you are "self taught" (which could include using
books,etc.)?  Self

3. How many of you started carving "late in life" (use your own
discretion)? 39 yrs old