[Woodcarver] Craftsman VS Artisan

Fri Jun 11 19:35:51 EDT 2004

In response, I see very little difference between the terms. A master
craftsman in my mind is a woodworker who produces furniture of the highest
quality and is in itself an art form. I believe the same is true for
carvers. I have never heard the term "Master Craftsman: referring to a
carpenter or electrician, only for persons who have elevated the quality of
their skill to a level that is in itself art, and far and above that of the
mainstream craftsman.

Looking forward to Evart,
Daniel Heine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Byron Kinnaman" <abkinnaman at earthlink.net>
To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

> To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click
this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
>
> 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?"
>
> To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click
this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
>
> 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?"
>
>
> > To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail,
click
> this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
> >
> >
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----
>
>
> 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:
>
> > To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail,
> > click this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
> >
> > 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
> > <Fiesta.jpg>_______________________________________________
> > Woodcarver mailing list
> > Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
> > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----
>
>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Woodcarver mailing list
> > Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
> > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver
>
> _______________________________________________
> Woodcarver mailing list
> Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver
>
> _______________________________________________
> Woodcarver mailing list
> Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver