[Woodcarver] Congress

[Ivan Whillock Studio]

Had a great time at the Congress.    It was fun to meet old friends,  and make new ones.  The show was very well done.  The carvings were well displayed in the fairgrounds setting.  There was space around them so they could easily be seen.  As many of you know from my ramblings here, I'm not much into competitions and such.  (I think all carvers are winners because simply getting one done it is a great  accomplishment . . . a whole lot harder than watching the Simpletons on TV.  In my opinion there is a huge tie for first.)   However, even if you're not into picking winners, the congress is an excellent representation of the range of carvings people are doing right now.  There were a few unheralded gems--carvings that, though not  technically perfect, clearly came from the heart.  I really enjoy carvings that reflect the real experience of the carver, even if they are not quite so accomplished as the formula carvings. It was also fun to see that more and more carvers are pushing the envelope a little bit.
 
Chris Howard stopped by the Studio on his way to the Congress and we had a great chat about carving and such. (Never met a person from Tennessee I didn't like.)   And at the Congress it was great to visit with Sandie--abuse her hospitality with a lot of foot stomping and a little pickin' with my soulmate, ol' Don.  In spite of the fact that we grew up miles apart--in different parts of the country, Don and I share many of the same childhood experiences--a love of music and early experiences with many phases of art.  There's a mean guitar picker  there, just under the surface.

We plan to do some more pickin' at the August get-together in Faribault--so let that be a fair warning to anyone in earshot.

Thanks to all--at the congress and on the list--who expressed support and concern for Marnie.  A special thanks to Larry Yudis for his expression of concern at the banquet.  A score of others will get their thanks as time goes on.  It all confirms the basic goodness and beauty in the soul of people.  


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
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