[Woodcarver] Joe's back (chat)

[Ivan Whillock Studio]

Joe said, > I'm back from a wonderful week at Ivan's.....<

At eight this morning I missed the tap-tapping of the mallet over in the
corner where we stuck Joe (even at that he was able to scatter his chips to
every corner of the room!).  Great to have Bob Mau here also, asking his
thoughtful questions  and attempting to keep Joe in line.  We had an
interesting mix of people this week, as always.  Carving is only part of
what we learn.  "Pastor Bob," a 76 year old minister on a South Dakota
Indian reservation, shared a wealth of experience and insight.  Long Island
Mark, the New Yorker who is the driver for a TV show I've never seen called,
I think, "Law and Order," infected us with his enthusiasm.    Pam from
Wisconsin, my home state, and Nathan, the creative Minneapolitan who builds
furniture as if it were an expressionistic work of art, added their parts.
What an interesting mix of people!

We also had a huge range of experience from Mark, the beginner who had never
touched a carving tool before, and Joe the professional who uses the tools
as if he were born with them.  We watched Mark's enthusiasm grow throughout
the week as he really caught the carving "bug" and became an inspiration to
all of us.  Bob Mau, already an excellent carver, was an eager student of
the "process" approach I introduced to him.

Thanks, guys!  You taught ME a lot!

Ivan Whillock Studio
122 NE 1st Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021
Visit my website at
 http://www.whillock.com
Visit my Picturetrail album at
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve