[Woodcarver] I need your help

[Linehan718 at aol.com]

Hi Joe,  I do appreciate your questions that come along now and  then.  You 
actually make me stop and think for a while.
 
When I first started carving, I was driven, probably addicted.  I was  
successful when i finished the carving i was working on.   I am an  amazing 
procrastinator in other parts of my life.  I was successful if it  came out resembling 
what i was trying to carve.  I was successful if my  finishing techniques 
didn't ruin my carving.  It didn't matter what anyone  thought about the finished 
carving, I was very proud of myself.  After  completing my first few projects 
and realizing that i was falling in  love with carving, I set about on a five 
year plan for myself.  I told  myself that the next five years would be 
learning years.  I didn't set out  to create any masterpieces or to make a million 
dollars, but simply to  learn.  And to practice!
I began buying books and gleaning every last piece of info i could find on  
the web.  I am right about at the 2 year mark now and i have to say my plan  
has been very successful.  In 2 years I have learned how to buy good  quality 
tools, and how to sharpen and maintain those tools.  I have learned  the names 
and functions of most carving tools.  And have amassed a decent  intermediate 
selection of tools.  I have learned all about safety and how  having med. ins. 
is an absolute( the day I drove a chisel right through the  flesh of my hand). 
 I have learned to pay attention and be more  careful.  I have learned about 
different wood properties and have  endevoured to try my hand working with any 
and all different types of  woods.  I have learned in the round, relief,power 
and architectural carving  techniques. The most important thing I have 
learned was that I only have to  please myself and as i am very demanding of my 
talents,  I could not help,  but to improve.  I have learned that if you ask for 
help, it is out  there.  I have taken classes and attended a roundup and found 
a carving  club within driving distance.
     
        Along the way, the  strangest thing happened.  People started wanting 
to pay me.   Commission carving opened up a whole new world.  I actually had 
to  communicate other peoples ideas with my carving.  i had to learn to 
listen,  so that i could make what they wanted, not what I thought they wanted.  I  
learned about deadlines and pricing and about dealing with pain in the  butts. 
 I can proudly say that i have met every deadline(even if I finished  it 5 
minutes before the customer came to get it).   Success at this  point in my five 
year journey is to master a new technique and create original  carvings.  
Getting to know other carvers who are better than me so that  they can push me 
along just by inspiring me and networking, learning where other  carvers are 
successful, and how people make money in this artform.  I have  especially 
learned to consider woodcarving an art, not a craft.  The  difference in the pricing 
is amazing.  LOL   I have also learned  not to underestimate my talents or 
the confidence I have in those  talents.
    
        Looking at the future, when  my five year learning plan is up,  I 
will consider myself successful if I  am partially supporting myself thru 
something carving related,  If I am  respected by those artists i hold in awe now,  
If I am completing carvings  faster than i do now.  If I gain the confidence to 
chip away rather than  whittle things down.  If I have already or am about to 
teach a  class.  If I am known as a "woodcarver" both in the carving 
community and  in my hometown.  If I have gotten much better at finishing and matching 
a  finish to a carving. That is where I want to be in 3 years.  All in all my 
 successes have been many and my failures have been few.  And most of all,  
its been fun.  I look forward to the things to come.
 
Maura Carvin'  in NYC
www.picturetrail.com\whiteknight718
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