[Woodcarver] Mike Bloomquist's Carving Site - carving for enjoyment

[Alex Bisso]

Hi Doug.  I seem to really toil over most of my carvings and it takes some
discipline to get them done.  Sometimes I get really absorbed in them and
time escapes me but it almost always feels like hard work.  The relaxing and
fun carving I enjoy most is simply sitting down with a good diamond willow
walking stick or cane and just cleaning away the weathered surfaces and
cleaning out the diamonds with a good pocket knife.  It is just simply
whittling away wood - reminds me of a joke I heard.

An old timer was whittling away one day and someone came up to him and
asked, what are you doing?
He said, "carving"
They said I know that, what are you carving?
He said, "wood"
They said, I know that, what are you making?
He said "wood chips"
Getting a bit frustrated they said, what is it going to be when you get
finished?
He said, "a whole lot smaller"

I think that is the kind of carving that is most enjoyable.

Alex Bisso
Billings, MT
  -----Original Message-----
  From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net]On Behalf Of Doug Evans
  Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 2:39 PM
  To: '[Woodcarver]'
  Subject: RE: [Woodcarver] Mike Bloomquist's Carving Site


  Hi Mike and all,



  I’m not sure if it’s just me, but sometimes I carve strictly to lose
myself  in what I’m carving. For these times I need a simpler piece just to
enjoy vs. creating a show winner. Anyone else been there???



  DougE











  Tom,



  I'm sorry to hear your continuing in woodcarving was ever in question.
Just MTCW, but, as addicted as I am to this woodcarving art,  once in a
while the shop and/or the carving bag just aren't the sanctuary they
normally are.  Sometimes it helps to step back from it as much as you can,
and give it a rest... go back to something simpler... or go in a different
direction for a while... try something new <like fan birds or chip carving
;-)>.  Don't lose track of why you enjoy carving wood.  If you do, take the
time to backtrack a little and find that place again.




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