The HALF PINT BAND is an interpretation of an earlier Hillbilly Band carved in the style of WHITTLE FOLK carved in the mid 80’s.  Both were carved out of basswood block three inches tall and an inch square. The Half Pint interpretation however was carved in the proportional scale of a half inch equals a foot. In comparing a Whittle Folk photo from the mid 1980’s with the Half Pint Band of 2024 the differences are evident while still being similar.

Whittle Folk were caricature carvings in the hillbilly style carved between 1986 and 1996 as one of the early “journeys in the carving way” of the WOOD BEE CARVER.  As a carver grows in experience and ability there is also a growth  in themes and subject matter for carving.  Whittle Folk served as a guide to new carving horizons.

The Half Pint Band is a 2024 interpretation to illustrate how the journey of woodcarving grows with each carving project. In an article I wrote for the November-December 1992 issue of Chip Chats on “Carving Whittle Folks” I said:

“The Wood Bee Carver’s philosophy is, “Would be carvers would be carvers if they would carve wood.”  Inherent in this philosophy is the proven reality of the assumption that one learns by doing.  The more one does, the more one learns.  The mystery is in the way the creative subconscious works through the experience of trial and error to a gradual improvement of skill and style.  The hardest part of any carving project is getting started.  Once begun, the creative juices flow, the carver gets captured by the carving Muse and the carving project takes on life and expression.

The Wood Bee Carver also believes from the school of experience that there is no correct way to do the carving process.  Each carver is to develop one’s own approach, technique and style.  The goal being not to be just a duplicator of someone else’s style, but to learn from the experience of another.  It other words, don’t be a student of a teacher, but a student of observation, learning from many teachers.  Teacher, in this sense, is the informal learning from fellow carvers and studying various styles and interpretations in carvings.  This is the part of the school of self-taught learning that comes from observation coupled with trial and error of self experience.”

To read a reprint of the original Chip Chat article, click on WHITTLE FOLK to bring up that article.  Be inspired then to continue your own carving journey by carving your own creative imaginations ~ “Dream you carving and carve your Dreams.”