Don Worley created the No See-Ums and has been teaching these delightful carving projects to various students. The ones pictured here were carved by Caricature Carvers of America member, Tom Brown. Don taught a class for the Eastern Woodland Carving Club, Converse, Indiana last year where Tom Brown and Gary Freeman became “hooked” on carving No See-Ums.
Gary Freeman carved these versions of No See-Ums. More about No See-Ums can be seen in two previous postings on November 21, 2008 and February 2, 2009.
Wayne Shinlever of Knoxville, Tennessee learned from Don Worley how to carve No See-Ums at the 2008 Dollywood Carving Show and since Wayne is a Santa carver he carved his version of a No See-Ums.
No See-Ums have become very popular with carvers who have tried these easy and fun projects. Thanks to Don Worley for introducing this very “addictive” carving project to the carving world.
Today, February 12, 2009 is the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. In the left hand column of this blog under “Cool Links” click on a link entitled “Abraham Lincoln Historical Site” which is about the “Congressional Funeral Delagation” standing in front of Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois home. The site shows photographs of carvings of the twently two congressmen depicted in the historic photograph along with historic biographical information written by historian Gary Kersey.
This blank block of wood symbolizes the beginning of a new year filled with unknown possibilities. Every carving project begins in a new block of wood that awaits the carver’s tools of inspiration, creative ideas and ability to try. Read the rest of this entry »
This photograph is of a gift from my wife, Frances, who commissioned Ray Kunz to carve a 40th Anniversary gift to celebrate our wedding day December 1, 1968. Two hearts are connected together with a ribbon of LOVE to symbolize the “tie that binds our hearts together in love.” Read the rest of this entry »
It has often been said, “You can not teach an old dog a new trick.” That may be true but dogs do not carve wood. No matter how old a wood carver becomes, one is never too old to learn. In fact woodcarving is a “learn by doing experience” in that the more one carves and while one is carving, one is stretching one’s ability and perception in the art of woodcarving. Read the rest of this entry »
At the Artistry in Wood Show in Dayton, November 8 and 9, 2008 Lynn Doughty “knocked me over with a feather of generosity” by giving me a caricature carving of my likeness that he had carved. Lynn carves his own unique style that has given him a reputation of being an outstanding carver of Western themes that often convey a humorous story in the pose and expression of the carving. The “gift” of his carving is also shared through his educational and informative www.outwestwoodcarving.blogspot.com and through his participation in wood carving shows across the country. Read the rest of this entry »
Each year at the Dayton Carvers Guild’s Artistry in Wood someone is presented with the “Ron Ryan Award” in memory of Ron Ryan who dedicated himself to the advancement of wood carving in a self giving manner. It was my humbling honor to be the 2008 recipient of the Ron Ryan Award.
The plaque bears five carved walnut wooden geese that were the signature carvings of Ron Ryan given as gifts to children. The plaque has engraved the following words:
“Awarded to Don Mertz who exemplifies the ideals of giving of oneself, expressing goodwill, and exerting extra effort needed to promote woodcarving throughout the carving world. Artistry in Wood – 2008”
Read more about the “Ron Ryan Award” by going to www.daytoncarvers.com and click on “Artistry in Wood” and then click on “Ron Ryan Award” to read about the award and past recipients. It is a humbling honor for which I gratefully thank the Dayton Carvers Guild for such an honor and acknowledge that woodcarving is an experience engendering friendships carved upon one’s heart.
Don Worley presents Ron Ryan Award to Don Mertz.
“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. Read the rest of this entry »
