[Woodcarver] Fwd: Chris Pye Woodcarving: Newsletter April 2011

[Matt Kelley]

Matt Kelley
Begin forwarded message:


> From: "Chris Pye Master Woodcarver" <chris at chrispye-woodcarving.com>



> Dedicated to the teaching, the learning and the love of woodcarving.

> 

> www.chrispye-woodcarving.com

> 

>  

> Newsletter April 2011

> Contents

> 

> Woodcarving Workshops.tv Launches!

> First Nation Carving

> - part ii

> - part iii

> - part iv

> Woodcarving Instruction USA 2011

> Meet our Sponsor

> One for the Bench

> Back issues of this newsletter are available here. 

> 

> 

> Woodcarving Workshops.tv Launches!

> 

> 

> Months of trials, tribulations and learning curves later, Carrie Camann and I now have the new woodcarving, 'e-learning' website up and running…

>  

> Please have a look:

> www.woodcarvingworkshops.tv

> 

> Before you do, let me quickly tell you what you'll find:

> 

> The heart of Woodcarving Workshops is a library of short video lessons (3 - 5 mins.) divided into 9 categories, from 'Tools' to 'Projects'.  The lessons are short because we learn better in lots of small bite-sized chunks.

> So, for example, I'll demonstrate a project, and you can undertake it, step by step - though you can watch any and all of the steps at any time.

> 

> For the launch, we've produced 64 lessons. This is just the start.

> We'll regularly add lessons, especially projects, at a rate of at least 52 each year. The content of the website is 'member-influenced': you have opportunities both to comment on the lessons and to suggest new ones. 

> We're funding Woodcarving Workshops through what we think is a very reasonable membership subscription. You will need to subscribe to the site to have access to the lessons.

> 

> Decide about the benefits of Woodcarving Workshops by watching short Introduction, 'Learn More' and Sample Lesson videos; see videos about myself, Carrie, and Plant-It 2020 (the non-profit re-forestation project we're supporting); and read about the Open Weekends for members in the UK and USA.

> 

> I think that's enough. I hope you like what you see. Tell me if you don't.

> 

> Look forward to having you on board!

> www.woodcarvingworkshops.tv

>  

>  

>  

>  

> First Nation Carving

> 

> 

>  

> Susan Point "Water: Essence of Life"

>       Western Red Cedar, h96" x w96" x d3"

>  

> I am just home from my first visit the Washington State. On our last day Carrie, my wife, brought me to one of her favourite Seattle haunts: The Stonington Gallery - Contemporary Masters of the Northwest Coast.

>  

> We walked through the door and I found myself in a sublime world of magnificent mythic art and stunning woodcarvings.

>  

> Gallery director Becky Blanchard generously gave me an abbreviated history of the art form...

>  

>  

>  

> - part ii

> 

> 

> Susan Point "Water: Essence of Life"

> - detail

>  

> As I understand it, First Nation woodcarving really took off when metal tools were introduced by Europeans, growing rapidly into a tradition as it married the ancestral world view with its myths and symbols.

>  

> The 1950's saw a reawakening of First Nation art form. Today it flourishes in wood, stone, metal, glass and paint.

>  

> Learning from the old, young artists bring innovation and new interpretation to native myths, while holding true to the original art form. 

>  

>  

> - part iii

> 

> 

> 3David Franklin Little Bird Man Maskette

> Alder, Acrylic h9" x w6" x d4.5"

>  

> Not surprisingly, I was drawn by the extensive display of woodcarvings in the gallery.

> I had only a vague idea this genre existed and am a little embarrassed to say that I had no idea about the extent, and the high technical abilities and design sense of these carvers.

>  

> I often highlight 3 areas of technique that benchmark proficiency in woodcarving skills:

> attention to surfaces,

> lines

> and junctions.

> The exact and beautifully executed surfaces, lines and junctions that I saw in the raven masks, huge reliefs, bowls, rattles and mythic figures perfectly mirror the precise 'formline' language of the Pacific Northwest as it tells stories of the interplay between human and spirit worlds.

>  

> Great carving technique and exciting designs in Yellow Cedar and Juniper: a complete joy to see.

>  

> - part iv

> 

> 

> Hib Sabin Golden Eagle Feast Bowl

> Juniper, Pigments h7.5" x w18" x d7.75"

>  

> It's a tremendous pleasure to find a new and inspiring world of woodcarving, especially of such profound quality.

>  

> If you don't know about Northwest First Nation art and carving, visit the Stonington Gallery website, whatever your interest in carving.

> You'll find extensive galleries, with many more superb artists than the few illustrated here.

> 

> And if you are anywhere near Seattle, Washington State, do call in to the Stonington Gallery itself:

> Stonington Gallery

> 119 South Jackson Street

> Seattle 

> Washington 98104

>  

>  

> Tel: 206.405.4040 (Toll Free 866.405.4485)

> 

> email: art at stoningtongallery.com

> website:www.stoningtongallery.com

> 

> Open: Weekdays 10am - 6pm (PST); Saturday 10am - 5:30pm; Sunday 12pm - 5pm

>  

> With permission, all photographs copyright of  Stonington Gallery – with many thanks!

>  

>  

>  

>  

> Woodcarving Instruction USA 2011

> 

> 

> Two great classes in the Summer:

>  

> 1. Relief Carving In Wood

>           (Beginners) June 27 - July 1 2011

>  

> We start from scratch - no experience is necessary. Particularly aimed at beginners but will benefit anyone wanting to refresh or learn good carving skills. 

>  

> Green Man Misericord:

> St. Laurence Church, Ludlow, Shropshire, UK

>  

> 2 Carve a Traditional European Green Man

>           (Intermediate/Advanced) July 4 - 15 2011

> 

> We'll be researching, designing modelling and carving this very expressive and ancient image in high or low relief. The class is aimed at those who have some previous experience of woodcarving. Come with your tools etc and bring your imagination.

>  

> Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, 

> 25 Mill Street,

> Rockport, 

> ME 04856

>  

>  

> Tel: 207-594-5611

> 

> Email: cfc at woodschool.org

> Website: www.woodschool.org

>  

>  

>  

>  

> Meet our Sponsor

> 

> 

> I have been contributing articles to Woodcarving Illustrated since 2000. 

> The team have impressed me throughout this time with the quality of their publications and their professional ethics.

>  

> Being trained in the traditional European style of carving, I've offered a different approach to woodcarving from most of the contributors and have appreciated the magazine's ability to include different approaches to carving wood. 

> Woodcarving Illustrated flattered me by awarding me 'Woodcarver of the Year 2009' and in 2010 published my latest book, making a fine job of it. I am pleased to have them sponsor my newsletter.

> Fox Chapel Publishing was founded in 1991. They are one of the world's leading resources for woodworking books and magazines.

> 

> Do visit their website at www.foxchapelpublishing.com

>  

>  

> 

>  

>  

> One for the Bench

> 

> 

> "There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect. "

>               ~ G.K. Chesterton, 1874-1936 English Writer

>  

>  

> That's it!

> 

> Please forward this newsletter to a woodcarving friend, and anyone else you think might be interested.

> Thanks!

>  

> Joy and success with your carving.

>  

> Chris Pye                                 

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> 

> If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter please click here.

> 

> 

> 

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