[Woodcarver] "enough is enough" ramblings!

[Classic Carving Patterns]

I have not competed in wood carving competitions but have in a few fine
arts shows. And I really do have an ego the size of a bright green Mac
truck :) 

RE-ENTERING A PRIZE WINNING PIECE:

Most fine arts shows will not allow a piece that has been in any show to
be reshown in their competition.  This is whether you place or not! For
the artist this means that you must choose which show you want to try
carefully.  Do you want to 'just take a prize', if so you usually show
in a smaller local show.  If you want your piece judged against other
artists of comparable skill level or higher then you may need to seek
out a regional or national show.  

Fine art shows also limit the works accepted to having been created
within a specific time period ... Within one to three years of the
competition.  So you can't go to your studio closet and pull out
something that you did five years ago.  This way you are competing at
your current skill level against others at their current expertise.
Most larger shows are also juried, you must submit photo slides of the
work in advance.  Then those slides are pre-judged as to whether they
are even worthy of consideration for the competition.  So you get judged
before you ever enter the show to get judged.  

Add to this that most art shows have a defined theme to them with which
the artwork must conform.  Example: The Art Show at the Dog Show.  This
is a large competition for canine artists ... No still lifes, no
seascapes, no portraits unless the main subject is a pure breed dog.  So
you can't enter a painting of a family picnic unless the golden retrieve
is making off with his slice of Apple Pie.

So with the more open style of competitions in wood carving I would
first consider WHY I am even entering.  If I am entering to see where I
stand along side of my local peers in my community I would go directly
to a local show.  If I am trying to find out where I stand within the
larger carving community I might consider taking a prize piece on to a
higher level competition, either regional or national.  I would not
enter the piece again in any other local-smaller show.

For me, in the few shows that I have entered, it was not the prize
ribbon that hangs on the wall.  It has always been about finding an
independent judge that might give me a sense of where I am at in my work
and how that compares to what others in the field are currently doing. I
realize that any judge whether in wood carving or art has their own
pre-judgments that must be considered but you can get some feed back
that is outside your familiar circle.


PATS ON THE BACK FOR MY EGO WHILE SHARING OUR CRAFT:

As for ego, don't we all have one and don't we all need it stroked once
in a while!  For that I have always taken a totally different path.  Try
contacting your local middle school or high school art teacher and offer
a one day demonstration on the basics to wood carving.  Talk about
getting pats on the back that will leave you smiling for weeks.  The
kids are great and very respectful to any adult that wants to take time
with them.  Wood carving today seems to be more of a retirement type of
hobby (I am not talking about those of us that have gone professional).
So many younger people have not seen our art ... Many have not seen any
type of hand work or hand craft at all.  Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and 4-H
groups would also love to have you ... Even better you can invite them
to come and visit your workshop as an evenings troop meeting. But
remember to have the milk and cookies ready after they finish seeing
your band saw or chop :).

You can also ask your local library if they do window displays for local
artists, many do.  Here you get to show off your work and the library
gets to display their stock of carving and craft books.  Leave your
business card, which they also will display, and you will get all sorts
of phone calls for interest people.  Again, this is a great way to bring
our art form before the public. Libraries love to show the WIP's ...
Works in Progress.  So bring some blanks, precut forms, and partially
carved works too. Oddly, and I have never quite understood why, but many
banks will display art of any form for local artists as will restaurants
?????? !

Many larger communities have Senior Centers, stop by!  They will take
you by the hand, bring you into the center, and sometimes not let you
escape until you have shared your joy of your craft.

Now if I REALLY want my ego inflated I call my local newspaper.
Somewhere there is a local news editor that needs copy to fill up the
space around all that advertising that they sell.  You not only get to
talk about your art you will get your photo and your artwork splashed
across the top of the paper in the local's section.  These editors
depend on you letting them know that you do 'something' that others
might be interested in seeing ... So don't hesitate to call and 'blow
your own horn'.  By doing so you may just turn someone else on to wood
carving.  

Sharing our love for wood carving is, for me, the truly prize winning
approach. Plus it's a place where you can re-enter and win Best of Show
over and over and over again.  Have YOU shared our craft with any one or
any group lately?

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Susan Irish

Carving Patterns Online
Designs Online Since 1997!
Classic Carving Patterns By L.S.Irish
http://www.CarvingPatterns.com
http://www.WoodCarvingPatterns.com


-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of J and C Lukens
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 2:15 AM
To: [Woodcarver]
Subject: RE: [Woodcarver] When should a carving be retired from
competion?


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ITS ABOUT TIME SOME ONE SPOKE OUT AGAIN.....TANGERMAN FELT THAT TOO MANY
CARVERS REENTER THEIR WORK AND BOLSTER THEIR FAME.....ALSO IN CHIP CHAT
A
FEW YEARS AGO ARTICLE BY L.E. STUMP ECHOED THE SAME FEELING 

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT ONE BEST OF SHOW IS ENOUGH.....MAYBE EVEN LIMIT
THE
NUMBER OF FIRSTS.....MORE WOULD ONLY FEED EGOS.....LET SOMEONE ELSE
ENJOY
THE RIGHTS OF WINNING.....GO ON TO ANOTHER CARVING AND SEE IF YOU CAN DO
IT
AGAIN.....ROTS OF RUCK

JOHN AKA MR CHIP



> Do any shows prohibit previous winners (of other shows) from entering
the
piece 
> in competition?  When is "enough is enough" in your mind?
>
> 	Vic H


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