[Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

[Joe Dillett]

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

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Hi Marrilee,

It's like they say, "The hurrier I go the behinder I get." My beginnings
were not so humble. I was so proud of my first carvings that I was almost
convinced that Michaelangelo would envy my work. Today I see how ridiculous
that was, but how important it was for me to see it that way, in the
beginning, so to encourage me to continue. My brashness of youth and my fine
tuned tunnel vision were excellent tools in giving me the confidence I
needed to take on any job regardless of how much over my head I buried
myself. For me, even today, those are not necessarily bad qualities because
I often fail to see the true picture, which if I did might give rise to
second thoughts about a commission, and jump in with my blinders on. Up to
now I've been lucky somehow made it out alive and well.

I don't remember my early works. I've actually been in someone's house
wondering where that awful woodcarving came from only to my embarrassment
when they tell me that it was actually mine. I wonder how many artists see a
terrible piece and actually not recognize it as ever coming out of their
head. I know I've made great improvements but today I'm seeing even more
wrong with my work than I did in the beginning. I've convinced myself that's
a good thing, that comes with improvement, and that's the tool that will
drive us to continue to improve.

In the beginning, as well as now, I plan a project seeing it so clearly in
my mind. Mostly I'm so exciting about the whole concept, the intense
feelings it will create, I see the perfect balance of design and I visualize
how it will occupy the space and become the most treasured position of my
customer. As my chisels cut the wood I try to hold that plan in my mind,
hold on to that feeling that I am trying to create. I find myself working as
fast as I can before I loose it. I rip the wood away, as fast as I can, so
time doesn't fog the original concept. Chips are hitting walls and ceiling
popping in all directions to remove the areas of distractions as quickly as
possible. New interesting shapes immerge. They begin to twist those original
ideas so judgements have to be made if this new idea emerging is better than
the original and if not it seems to be making it more difficult to get back
to the original concept. Frustration always comes when what I see in my mind
is not happening in front of me. I am disgusted with my lack of skill to
make it happen. At some point I must declare the project finished. I judge
how short I fell from my goal and determine what I will fix next time. That
is why I don't enjoy looking at my finished work other than to study it for
future correction.

I'm also convinced that I'll never get to the top of my game, even if the
good Lord would give me another 100 years. I think it is like anything in
life, the more you learn the more you realize you don't know.

I sometimes wonder if other artist are 1) frustrated in not being able to
reproduce exactly what they feel in their mind and 2) seeing more flaws in
their work as their work improves?


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
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