[Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

Sun Jun 13 20:13:59 EDT 2004

I agree with what you are saying Bob, but is there a way to get there from 
here and how long does it take!?  For some not long I suspect and for others 
longer!  So to add to this discussion:  How long did it take you "great" 
carvers to feel like what you are doing is darn good and might even peek at 
the term we are trying to define?  I know Joe sent out a questionnaire some 
time ago with this question on it but that was more just for carving wasn't 
it? Not really asking do you feel like you are at the top of your craft/art 
and when was it that you were pleased with the results?  Thanks for sharing 
this also!
Merrilee

>From: Bob Mau <basswood at aol.com>
>Reply-To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
>To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
>Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"
>Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 09:33:24 -0500
>
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>  To all:
>I have a different take on this master carver thingy.      There seems to 
>be many people that have fallen in love with carving, the question is how 
>can one systomatically learn this art form. Frequently many carvers learn 
>by puttering,Whittling and messing around,  some take classes. Most classes 
>are project oriented. Take a class and come out with a bird, take another 
>class and carve a face. Lots of books to read out there, and many video 
>tapes. In short there is lots of information but no overall syilbus to give 
>focus and direction.
>I have many books, and to many sharpening systems.  I look back and  I find 
>that I have gotten to where I am by wandering aimlessly with little focus 
>or direction. I got to beleive that with a little more focus I could have 
>gotten where I am in much less time.
>     The concept of an apprentice program is that it can help with the 
>focus of where you are going. for example I have been hanging around Joe 
>Dillett during his class. The class has  projects that  teach tool 
>manipulation as the first and most important part of the lesson. In fact 
>you end up duplicating your work 6-7 time give more practice, increasing 
>speed and learning to make clean cuts. He gives them badly dulled v-tools 
>and makes them sharpen them. How many of you have taken a training module 
>devoted  to sharpening, dulling and sharpening your tools. Many of us buy 
>tools and  try different sharpening methods and aimless plod along till we 
>accidently stumble on a system that works, by then we have arkansas stones, 
>diamond stones, ceramic stones, and 2 methods of power sharpening.
>      . I know that in europe  the apprentice system has a lot to do about 
>finicial and political control. I know a formally traind carver has been 
>taught how to do it the same way it has been taught for centuries. I am 
>aware that the North american method  of less formal training can be an 
>actual strength, since we don't officially know how to do it we can be 
>flexiable and experiment with new techniques, which can be  strength.
>    I don't care about the various terms of apprentece, master carver etc 
>etc. I would like to see a focus of how to get there from here. A list of 
>steps to learn in the 1st year a list of good books to be familiar 
>with(technique books not project books) Any formal art classes that would 
>be useful in the local community college.  a list of carving instructors 
>that one could take, classes that would allow a serial progression in 
>learning the art form. I wandered around aimless for 2 years looking for a 
>instructor to teach animinal carving untill some one recommended I take a 
>class with Curt Kurtis.
>Why did it take 2 years to find this wonderful instructor>
>    Unlike a full time apprentices who devotes serious time going throught 
>the apprentice program. I have a full time job and a family and not that 
>much free time.
>
>And so ends another long winded disertation
>from Bob Mau
>Big rock Il.
>
>mllrynaz at millry.net wrote:
>
>>To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click 
>>this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
>>
>>This has been interesting to say the least.
>>it seems to me that the creation is something that any of us can 
>>accomplish.
>>With no name on the carving it may not be the master who wins the 
>>compition.
>>I love to learn all the time.
>>If not by you or book or what ever it's by tring & failing or being
>>successful.
>>Edison after trying something like 670 times to make a lightbuld was told 
>>he
>>had failed all those times.
>>He told the person no I haven't I have learned 670 ways not to make a
>>lightbuld.
>>We as Americans have always taken some thing from the old country but 
>>added
>>a flair that makes us something different.
>>I'm with Bill if we lose those things they don't have we better think 
>>about
>>it.
>>I like the idea of apprentice butt not the way they use to do it.
>>
>>
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>
>
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