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.

“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 »

These Civil War soldiers stand four and a half inches tall with a one inch square base.  Carved out of basswood using only a knife, these represent a carving style called “Whittle-Carving” to illustrate that one can sculpt with a knife.  The figures are colored using the “Painting Softly” process described under that same title under the section to the left called “Navigation.” Read the rest of this entry »

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL VENDOR is a play on the title of an old James Garner movie, “Support Your Local Sheriff.” The reason to support your local vendor is because of the labor of love these dedicated servants of woodcarving generously give to the woodcarving community.

Dick and Barb Belcher are in their thirty second year of providing a most valuable service through their Belcher Carving Supply. LLC.  They have available at several wood carving shows almost anything any carver would want and need and if they do not have it, they will make every effort to find what is requested.  Through their catalog,  email R1Belcher@aol.com or by phone 937-845-0346 Dick and Barb await the opportunity to be there for any carver’s needs. Read the rest of this entry »