Don said of the four photos above ~ “I carved two 2″ X 3″ blocks to be part of the Buckeye Roundup auction. One has 2 Fireman and the other has 2 Cowboys. I used the same face carving techniques as in my Carving Biker Dudes book. After carving some Cowboys I used the same pattern and carved the Fireman.”
Mark Akers of Lexington, SC is a carving friend spanning several years who has developed a unique style of carving that is his signature. Professionally he is known as “KarolinaKarver” and has his carvings posted for sale on “Etsy- KarolinaKarver.” Mark has published several articles in Woodcarving Illustrated and has taught at the Renegade Round Up in Lebanon, TN a few times and will teach again there this October.
Don Worley is a carving friend to many within the carving family, having been the long time chairman of the Dayton Artistry in Wood and has participated in carving shows in Ohio, Indiana and the old Dollywood Carving Show. His outgoing and fun loving personality is reflected in his caricature carving as well as his friendship.
Don Stephenson wrote an article for Woodcarving Illustrated about his art in the comic book “A Wizard’s Tale” and his collaboration with Don Mertz in the carving of Don Stephenson as “Wizard” by Mertz and Stephenson doing the wood burning art on the wizard’s staff. Click on link “WIZARD Don Stephenson” to read more about this collaboration.
The four photographs above represent the most recent carvings done for Helvie Knives to add to their collection and their generous charity project.
Don Worley carves in a delightful and whimsical style that is not only eye catching but is also instructive in an inspirational manner. Years ago, he introduced his “No-See-Ums” that became a favorite carving project among carvers ~ Recently he introduced his “Biker Dudes” that had the same appeal to carvers both in classes he taught and those who followed his self-published book.
The photo above is entitled “The Journey” by Ivan Snyder. I first met Ivan last year at the Buckeye Woodcarving Round Up near Piqua, Ohio. He was sitting in my informal class of carving small figures concentrating of facial features. After a while he showed me a few of his small carvings that jumped right up and shook my hand. They were alive with imagination and personality and as I got to know Ivan more during the next couple of days of class we became kindred brothers of miniature carvings. Below are photos of the carvings he showed me.
The “Shorties” above are two and half-inch tall creations of Whittling Jim Hecker. Jim is a carving friend who lives in Elk River, MN. We first met at the International Congress of Woodcarving in 2009 and have maintain mutual friendship through emails, Facebook, two more meeting at International Congress and a couple of times in conjunction with the Dayton Artistry in Wood show.