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(For information only as this is past history)

A WHITTLE POKE BUST class will be taught by Don Mertz at the Woodcraft Store on Saturday, May 15, 2010.  The class runs from 9:00 A.M. til 4:00 P.M. at the Woodcraft Store, Cross Point Center, 175 E. Alex-Bell Road, Dayton, 45459 (937-438-1282)  The cost is $75 and more information and registration can be made by calling 937-438-1282 at the Woodcraft Store.

WHITTLE POKE BUSTS are carved using only a knife out of a one and half inch square by three inch tall block of basswood.  The photographs above are examples of subjects that can be carved in this one day class.

Don Mertz will also be teaching at the WAG School of Woodcarving http://wagcarvingschool.com/default.aspx April 30 and May 1 and 2, 2010

WHAT IS IT? These wooden spirals were created during the carving process.  They were  created as a trail of chips from a V tool carving a groove across the grain of a basswood block.  Much like the action of a curling shavings produced while planing with a carpenter’s plane, these spirals have created their own unique artistic design.

Carving is a partnership between the creative subconscious sending a message to the hand holding a carving tool to shape wood into a creative expression of the art of carving by hand.  It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so this photo essay of hands carving will say all that needs to be said. Read the rest of this entry »

A block of basswood awaits the sharp cutting edge of carving tools to open its potential of a carving project.  A New Year awaits with untold carving potential for  any carver to put carving tools to the wood to carve new projects.  A block of wood holds a secret awaiting to be revealed by carving away wood surrounding the secret.  The carver’s mind holds a secret of creativity that awaits being revealed during the carving process.  The only way each secret will come to life is for the carver to carve rather than just dreaming of carving. Read the rest of this entry »

Woodcarving Illustrated hosted a Spit-N-Whittle booth at the Artistry in Wood Show, Dayton, Ohio November 14 and 15.  Individual carvers were scheduled to demonstrate carving a project for an hour as a way to interact with show patrons and offer encouragement for wood carving.  What follows  are photographs of some of those carvers during their demonstration hour and visitors listening and watching. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the WAG School Woodcarving:   http://wagcarvingschool.com/default.aspx

The WAG School of Woodcarving holds 3 day carving events that join student with some of the finest carving instructors in the Southeast. Included in the cost of tuition is full room and board. There is no need to try and find a hotel or good place to eat. We take care of all that for you. All you have to worry about is becoming the best carver you can be. Read the rest of this entry »

A very great and humbling honor was bestowed upon me when the members of the Caricature Carvers of America elected me along with Mitchell Cartledge of North Carolina as the 2009 new Members into CCA  at their Annual Meeting in  Branson, Missouri the week end of September 26, 2009.

CCA came into existence to encourage caricature carving as well as showcase caricature carving as  ART within the woodcarving genre.  This is accomplished through sponsoring an annual mail-in caricature carving competition, seminars in various locations across the nation,  publication of CCA carving projects, awarding Merit Award Certificate and Ribbon to deserving carvers of caricatures at wood carving shows and each member of CCA being an ambassador of caricature carving.

A more detailed description of CCA is described at their web site:  http://www.cca-carvers.org/