[Woodcarver] to become a "Master carver.."

Sun Jun 13 20:32:57 EDT 2004

Joe,

The program is very well thought out. I wish there was somethng in the NYC area I could get involved in to learn the same skills. Are you thinking of putting some of the classes up on the internet? I wonder what some of the other folks on the list think about this?

Lenny

Carving in NYC,Sometimes with Maura!

Joe

Merrilee Johnson <merrihat at hotmail.com> wrote: To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html

Wow Joe! That is a tremendous amount of things to go through to be come a 
master. I had no idea what it would take and the amount of time! I 
shouldn't be surprised but I am. What a great experience for the 13 year 
old! I wish more of our kids had this type of an opportunity of learning!
Merrilee

>From: "Joe Dillett" 
>Reply-To: "[Woodcarver]" 
>To: "[Woodcarver]" 
>Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"
>Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 16:51:00 -0500
>
>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" 
>To: "[Woodcarver]" 
>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.
>
>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
> > _______________________________________________
> > Woodcarver mailing list
> > Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
> > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver
>
>
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>
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