[Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

Fri Jun 11 18:44:19 EDT 2004

Joe, Bill and others,

I have to disagree with this type of a program. It appears to me that this would move carving as an art form into the world crafts.  "Master Carver" = "Master Carving Craftsman" . I prefer to think of carver as artisians rather than craftsman.

Just my humble opinion.

Byron

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Dillett <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com>
Sent: Jun 11, 2004 2:51 PM
To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

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Hi Bill,

I understand what you are saying. That's why I avoided using the words
Master Carver in my post.

I have strong feelings that an approved apprenticeship program in needed.
The government should approve this type of program so it qualifies for
grants, retraining and low-interest student loan status.

I've had a lot of call for organizing an apprenticeship program. Finally I
started a non-accredited program this last January. I have six students that
are committed to a four-year program. I told them a certificate wouldn't
mean very much because I am not an accredited program. There ages range from
13 to about 50. I told them that the only difference between my
apprenticeship program and the formal apprenticeship programs of Europe, is
that I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

They are progressing fine. After about 6-months they are about halfway along
to being called an Apprentice 1 level carver.

To achieve an Apprentice 1 level they began with a simple project that they
choose. They learn safety precautions. They must be able to take a knife and
gouge and V-tool from a wide blunt edge and get them razor sharp. All have
certified through the sharpening. They are all working on carving moldings.
Each molding teaches them right and left hand carving, grain structure and
direction of cut. The first molding is a chase carving with a V-tool or
veiner (spoon carved design). The next molding is a row of small raised
buttons surrounded in a conceived circle. The third molding is a rope
design. Two are still working on the rope design and the rest have certified
through this point. Egg and dart is the next molding. A shell in the next
molding. The last molding will be their design. After completing all the
moldings they must apply a finish. Then they must certify to knowing how to
calculate mathematical ratios and proportions and certify to enlarging or
reducing a picture to create a pattern per my requirements. They must
certify to knowing the common types of wood they will be carving and how to
choose the direction of grain to orientate a face or how to choose the best
and finest grain direction to orientate the carving. They must develop a
respect for wood and the source it comes from through good conservation
practices inside and outside the shop. Than they must complete a project.
That will get them to Apprentice 1 level.

Apprentice 2 level will have exercises that refine their chisel techniques,
uses power to improve productivity and studies good design techniques and
human and animal proportions. They must know how to construct a block for
carving and good gluing practices by calculating how to even out clamping
pressure. There will be much time devoted to drawing which will be taught
from the book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards.
They will be learning woodburning techniques and develop a wide vocabulary
of texturing techniques by using chisels. They must develop the ability to
make clean cuts in remote areas so to eliminate 'hamburger'.

To get certified to Journeyman they must have logged about 1000 hours of
carving time, demonstrate originality and uniqueness of design. Capable of
designing and drawing their own patterns from several sources. Produce a
carving from real life, both in the round and in relief. Does not need
instruction to design, carve and finish a carving. Understand the material
of wood and how it is effected by moisture changes, UV exposure, various
drying techniques, strength and weatherability. Understand, know when to use
different finishes and how to apply those different finishes. Able to make
several carvings of the same subject, like an oak leaf, and express
different feelings, such as serenity, anxiety, sadness, and joy . Knowledge
of all laws and regulations that apply to the carving business, such as
sales and income tax, EPA regulations, MSDS sheets, different business
structures such as s-corporation or sole-proprietorship, accounting
practices as applied to running a carving business. Demonstrate a
willingness to share their knowledge by teaching woodcarving classes.

To achieve the Master Carver level they must have knowledge of good business
practices, know how to quote jobs, write work orders/contracts, create
invoices and estimate completion times accurately. Demonstrate good
marketing skills. Demonstrated a desire to promote woodcarving and teaches
on a regular basis. They must demonstrate a willingness to give back to
their community by getting involved in community activities.

Most of these are concepts at this point that will be refined as I progress
through the program. At this point I am only keeping a few classes ahead of
them with a lesson plan. I am willing to take all suggestions anyone has to
offer. These students know they are my guinea pigs in this wonderful
experiment. At this point they are all developing wonderful tool control and
grain knowledge. I couldn't be happier with their progress. I was
encouraging the 13-year old boy to continue practicing his sharpening skills
before he forgets them. I pointed out that there are not many 13-year olds
that can put a razor edge on a V-tool and handle a chisel the way he can.

Bill, I talked to you some time back as becoming a member of a certification
board. My concept of this certification board is certain members like you,
who have achieved a high level of carving skill, network with the student
over the Internet to have his work and skill examined by each board member,
one at a time. The student must pay for your testing time. You in turn
either certify them to the next level or not. Your other responsibility
would be to give me feedback as to what changes I would need to make in my
curriculum.

Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552
(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.com
jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
**************************************************

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Judt" <bjudt at sasktel.net>
To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 1:46 PM
Subject: [Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

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this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
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Ray and Joe:

Here in North America, we must be careful to make a clear distinction
between the European trade designation "Master Carver" and the more
relaxed way we use the term.
Unless one is trained as a master carver according to an accredited
standard, he/she is NOT a master carver. One might be a GOOD carver,
even and excellent carver... gifted, talented, professional, etc... but
not a MASTER CARVER, unless he/she has earned that title. I can
understand European carvers looking at the way some carvers rate
themselves or are rated by others and questioning their standards. I
don't let this type of thing bother me, though. I know how good my work
is. It is somewhere between the absolutely WORST carving on earth and
the absolutely BEST.<grinning widely>

This raises the question "What shall we call those North American
carvers who have show excellence in their craft/art... who stand above
the crowd? And what is the standard by which we measure their
abilities?" Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

This is a question I've long pondered. Please note that I do NOT
consider myself a "Master Carver".

Bill
List Owner

W.F. Judt,
46 Harvard Cres,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
S7H3R1
PH: 306-373-6649
Email: bjudt at sasktel.net
Website: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com

On Jun 11, 2004, at 8:49 AM, RAY MIGHELLS wrote:

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>
> Hi Joe; sounds good to me. I do know that some classicaly trained
> carvers kind of look down their nose at excellent carvings done by
> carvers "not trained". I agree with you that you do whatever is
> necessary to achieve the dimension and projection you want. Carving
> is still evolving; you may need to go to college to get a degree,
> but you don't need to go to college to get an education. (
> subscribing to all the carving magazines is comparable to taking a
> correspondence course, although there are some things you can not
> learn from a book)Regards Ray Mighells 6760 Rt 417 Killbuck NY 716
> 945 0098 Please view my work at:
> http://www.picturetrail.com/razaxnstuff
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