[Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"

Sun Jun 13 02:59:24 EDT 2004

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 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 european carving, 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 wonderfull 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.

jdillett at thecarvingshop.com wrote:

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>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?"
>
>
>  
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>
>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:
>
>  
>
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>>
>>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
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