JESSE of the animated movie Toy Story series is an animated cartoon character. Carving JESSE as a caricature of a cartoon character is a reversal of what is commonly understood about caricatures. A caricature is an exaggeration of realism that sometimes appears to be almost a cartoon interpretation of the real thing. Caricatures and cartoons are separate forms of art and interpretations while having similar characteristics. Caricature carvers often will study cartoon drawing as reference for exaggerating a realistic human face and figure. Sometimes a caricature carving will tell a cartoon like story in its visual appearance. That said, a caricature is still a caricature and a cartoon is still a cartoon standing on their own merits.
A caricature carving is intentionally designed and carved to be a caricature in order to emulate a humorous visual story. A caricature is never a carving that has turned out bad, thus making it a caricature as is so often said by an amateur carver who says, “If this carving does not turn out to be a realistic cowboy at least it can be a caricature cowboy.” A bad carving does not make a caricature even though a poorly designed and carved caricature can become a bad carving.
A caricature is determined by either its style or theme. Andy Anderson, Emil Janel and Harold Enlow wrote the book, so to speak , on a style in caricature carvings inspiring carvers to learn a style of caricature carving. But within that style of caricature carving there developed the theme of caricature carving which has branched out into many other styles of caricature carving. Some caricature carvings are very exaggerated while others are very subtle in their caricaturization, thus remaining true to the theme more than the style of certain types of caricature carving.
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HELVIE KNIVES of Tipton, Indiana has invited members of the Caricature Carvers of America to carve a caricature into a specially designed basswood handle of a Helvie Knife as a display collection. Several CCA members have already carved a handle to highlight the great variety of caricature theme that can be carved. The photograph at the left shows a few of them together while additional photographs that follow will show two views of each individual knife already in the Helvie Knives display collection.
Helvie Knives have become very popular with many carvers with multicolored handles as well a cherry handles with a variety of handle shapes from which to choose. Some of the CCA members also have autographed their signature collection of knives. Read the rest of this entry »
Larry Baldridge of Cadet, Mo was presented a CCA Merit Award at the Artistry in Wood Show, Dayton, OH on November 13, 2010. The Award is presented to a carver who exemplifies the art of caricature carving and as an encouragement for the advancement of caricature carving. Left to right in the presentation photograph are CCA Members Joe Shumacher, Bruce Henn, Floyd Radigan, Award Recipient Larry Baldridge, Jack Williams and Don Mertz.
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Chris Hammack, who is the newest member of the Caricature Carvers of America, rides again by returning to teaching woodcarving seminars. Following several successful years of operating his own casting business of carved subjects and supplying sculpted subjects for the gift industry, Chris is devoting more of his time to his first love of not only creating unique woodcarving art for his valued collectors but also teaching his art to other woodcarving enthusiasts. Read the rest of this entry »
Don Ward of Middletown, Ohio received a Caricature Carvers of America Merit Award on March 6 at the Miami Valley Woodcarving Show. The Merit Award is being presented by CCA members Bruce Henn and Don Mertz in recognition of Don Ward excelling in the art of Caricature Carving.
Don has been a long time member of the Miami Valley Wood Carvers and actively promoting and encouraging woodcarving through club activities and carving shows. Preceding the week end show, Don was a student of the three day caricature carving seminar taught by Bruce Henn in which he carved a caricature cowboy. Read the rest of this entry »
CARICATURE CARVERS OF AMERICA announce the sale of CCA Members’ carvings on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Best Western Inn and Conference Center, 8514 State Highway 76, Branson, Missouri. A preview of the carvings being offered for sale may be viewed on the Caricature Carvers of America web site at the following link: http://www.cca-carvers.org/2010-salecarvings/2010-salecarvings1.htm
Closer to the time of the sale additional information will be posted on the CCA web site http://www.cca-carvers.org/ The CCA web site contains information on the Caricature Carving Competition scheduled for August 25, 2010 and Seminar August 26, 27, and 28. The site also contains profiles of the CCA Members, past competitions and other information of interest on the subject of caricature carving.
Ken Kohl of Alden, New York received a CCA Merit Award at the Artistry in Wood Show, Dayton, Ohio on November 14, 2009. The Award is presented to carvers who promote caricature carving as an art through there own carving creativity. CCA Members presenting the Award to Ken are Joe Schmacher, Bruce Henn, Floyd Rhadigan, Don Mertz, Dave Stetson and Harley Schmitgen. Read the rest of this entry »
