TURKEY/SANTA NOVELTY carvings say “Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas” at the same time as each has a turkey carved on one side and on the back side a Santa is carved using the outline of a turkey turned sideways.  The original pattern and idea came by way of carver Glenn Stewart of Hawesville, Kentucky.

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Pictured to the left are the eight students who survived a one day class in Whittle Folk Art on November 22, 2008.  The class was held in the Woodcraft Store in Centerville, Ohio on the subject of a Santa Egg carved out of a basswood hen egg.  Class participants included two youth, Kelli Becknell and Will Osbourne.  Other participants were Betty Warwick, (front row) and Ken Oswald, Gil Wendt, Mark Osbourne, Barry Pennington and Don Potter (back row).  The students learned the basics of opening up an egg to carve the form of a Santa using only a knife.  Other instruction covered the basic proportions of the face and lay out design.  Even though the class was intense, every student survived the entire day and vowed to continue carving.  New friends were made and Kelli and Will did excellent carving for being new to the experience. Read the rest of this entry »

No See-ums were created by Don Worley of New Carlisle, Ohio in early 2008.  He has taught several classes on these fun caricature carvings as well as numerous individual carvers.  Don has been active in the Dayton Carvers Guild of Ohio and has been co-chairman many years for the annual Artistry in Wood.  He is my good friend and a friend to carvers near and far. Read the rest of this entry »

Photographs of WHITTLE DOODLE VII taken by Jack Williams may be viewed under  the Main Menu page at the left entitled “Whittle Doodle IV and VII” which shows all sides of doodling with a knife on a block of wood.

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.