[Woodcarver] Satisfied with your carvings?

[Ivan Whillock Studio]

Joe said: "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?"

The creative process itself is what interests me most, not the result.  When
I'm finished with a carving I'm usually pleased with it, but I don't dwell
on it or over-analyze it because it's done and the next one has already
taken over my mind.   When I do study my previous works, I'm a pretty
generous critic.  I know I did as well as I could at the time.    That said,
I also expect the next ones to be better,  because at least I should have
"learned by doing."  Like many other artists I talk to, I often get the
feeling that "somebody else did that."  Using Betty Edward's imagery, the
right side of the brain takes over the creative process while the left side
takes a nap.  Then, when the job is done and the left side wakes up and
takes over, it says, "Who did that?"

Taking a sketch on paper to a completed three-dimensional work of art is
still a source of great satisfaction.    It  amazes me that this flawed
organism living in this mottled skin can actually do artworks that turn out
pretty well--works that may still be around after I'm gone.  I can't be
pessimistic about that!

Ivan Whillock Studio
122 NE 1st Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021
Visit my website at
 http://www.whillock.com
Visit my Picturetrail album at
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve