WoodBeeCarver

“Wood carving is more the journey than the destination,” is a saying that describes the experience of carving.  The fun part of the journey is the actual carving process while the destination is what happens to the carving after it is completed.  One destination is to enter carvings into competition at wood carving shows to receive the evaluation of the judges.

Participating in wood carving shows and entering pieces into competition is also a part of the journey that helps to expand the horizon for the carver.  Participating in wood carving shows is to allow the visitors to the show view one’s carvings and converse about the carving process that is both an encouragement to the carver and to those who aspire to carve.

Entering pieces into competition continues the journey  for the  carver to realize an objective evaluation of one’s carving pieces.  The only person one is competing with is oneself.  Even when carvings are entered into a particular Category and particular Class, not all carvings will be equal to imply that one is better that the others.  They all may be fruit, but apples, oranges, pears and grapes are all sweet and good, but each is judged on each one’s merits.

Carvings are like that in that at any given show the judges evaluate each carving and determine at that time and place an evaluation of each carving that might result in a ribbon and recognition.  This does not mean necessarily that one carving is better than another.  Rather it means that the judges have evaluated each carving on its own merits.

At any given show there are probably five to ten carvings that could be recognized and honored as Best of Show.  Carvings entered in several wood carving show competitions may receive a different honor at each of the shows.  Or a carving may receive recognition at one show and receive no recognition at another. 

A carver should enter into competition for the fun of it, seeking honest evaluation and not take competition seriously.  Realize that the judges are offering their best evaluation and are willing to offer a personal explanation when asked by the carver who sincerely wants to improve one’s presentation. 

Entering pieces in competition is to give the judges something to do, for if carvers are shy and reluctant to enter pieces, then there are fewer pieces for the judges to evaluate.  Entering into competition, one may be pleasantly surprised by the judges evaluation and receiving any ribbon is an honor.

The photos above show recent honors at two different shows for which I humbly thank the judges for their evaluation.  The judges at the 2008 Caricature Carvers of America competition honored four of my entries which can be viewed at www.cca-carvers.org

These Civil War soldiers stand four and a half inches tall with a one inch square base.  Carved out of basswood using only a knife, these represent a carving style called “Whittle-Carving” to illustrate that one can sculpt with a knife.  The figures are colored using the “Painting Softly” process described under that same title under the section to the left called “Navigation.”

Civil War Soldiers are fun to carve in that there are so many different facial variations one can carve in the style of beards, mustaches, side burns and the tilt of the head.  Additional photos of Civil War Soldiers can be view in “Gallery 1″ under “Navigation” at the left of this posting.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL VENDOR is a play on the title of an old James Garner movie, “Support Your Local Sheriff.”  The reason to support your local vendor is because of the labor of love these dedicated servants of woodcarving generously give to the woodcarving community.

Dick and Barb Belcher are in their thirty second year of providing a most valuable service through their Belcher Carving Supply. LLC.  They have available at several wood carving shows almost anything any carver would want and need and if they do not have it, they will make every effort to find what is requested.  Through their catalog,  email R1Belcher@aol.com or by phone 937-845-0346 Dick and Barb await the opportunity to be there for any carver’s needs.

Even though it is a small business, yet it is more a labor of love for wood carving and wood carver friends that they pack up all their supplies, travel many miles to the next show, unload, unpack and set up their vendor space, serve the wood carver customer (often answering questions and  offering tips about every aspect of wood carving) sharpen tools, serve as judge of show competition  when asked and contribute merchandise and gift certificates for door prizes to the hosting woodcarving club.  And then when the show is over, they pack everything up, load their trailer, drive back home, unpack at home, rest up until the next day when they take inventory, place new orders and get ready for the next show. 

 In between the shows they participate in their local wood carving club’s activities, teach classes, host carving classes at their studio/shop for visiting instructors and are ambassadors for wood carving every opportunity that comes their way.

Are they getting rich?  Yes, rich in good will, rich in friends, rich in promoting wood carving and rich in labors of love.  Profit from the business is plowed  back into inventory, equipment and maintaining their studio.

Dick and Barb are our local vendor here in Southwest Ohio and are highlighted here with appreciation for all they contribute to wood carving and as representative of all the other “local Vendors”who set up at woodcarving shows all over the country to provide a valuable service to wood carvers, be they tool vendors, wood suppliers, seminar instructors or  knife/tool makers.  All local vendors are in it for the advancement of wood carving, to provide a valuable service and help both the beginning wood carver and the seasoned carver.  None are in it for the money they can make because they certainly could make money easier doing something else. Theirs is a “labor of love,” so “SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL VENDOR” whoever they may be by purchasing what you need and saying “Thank You” for their labor of love.