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/

At the 2006 Artistry in Wood Show in Dayton, Ohio these Pumpkin Heads in the photograph at the left were part of Jon Nelson’s display.  A clever carving idea to try was filed in the back of my own wooden head.  A year later I had the opportunity to take a caricature carving class from Bob Stadtlander and one of his subjects was Pumpkin Heads.

As with many carving ideas and carving subjects which incubate in the carver’s creative muse, carving more of these Pumpkin Heads came knocking on my wooden head (i.e. ‘block head’).  The result being what I call “Pumpkin Noggins” as the word “noggin” means head.   So what follows is a photo journey of “Pumpkin Noggins” on parade. Read the rest of this entry »

The Gunslinger Caricature was carved out of a basswood block seven inches tall by three inches square.  The original design was done by Chris Hammack who carved the caricature and its photo became the front of a greeting card.  A wood carving friend shared the photo with me.  The unusual posture of the gunslinger presented a challenge to carve.  Carving gouges were used to carve the basic form with knives used for the detail carving. Read the rest of this entry »

ARTISTRY IN WOOD at Dayton, Ohio is one of the premier wood carving shows across the nation.  There are approximately two hundred wood carvers and wood workers  who show and sell their creations of art and craftsmanship at this two day show November 14 and 15, 2009.  http://www.daytoncarvers.com/ will give more details on Artistry in Wood.

Carvers from all across the United States will be represented while the quality and variety of carvings and woodwork provide something for anyone’s aesthetic appreciation.   Carvings entered into competition are of the highest quality providing the visitor with a sense of awe at the beauty and creativity of each variety of carvings.

Tool vendors and wood suppliers will be available to offer whatever the carver needs to enhance their wood carving and working experiences.  Demonstrations, youth woodworking activities, special exhibits, door prizes, raffle and silent auction add to the visitors’ interest.

Artistry in Wood is easy to find following the map at the left and there is plenty of free public parking with admission of $7.00 a day or $10.00 for two day pass.  There is plenty to see and do and if one has never been, then this would be a good year to come and see for yourself.  Come early, stay late to experience wood carving at its best.  When you come look for me in the southeast corner of the Expo Center and we will talk woodcarving (as if there was any other subject worth talking about.)

JOHN ROTH (November 2, 1944 – September 5, 2009) carved a lasting memory on the hearts of his loved ones and friends.  Especially in the carving community, John is remembered as a premier Chip Carver whose quiet and sincere friendship endeared him to all who knew him. Read the rest of this entry »

Whittle Folk Tree Noggins are Whittle-Carved with a knife out of basswood tree limbs.  Other carvers may call them “Wood Spirits” or “Tree Spirits” but the Wood Bee Carver has called them Whittle Folk Tree Noggins since he began carving them over twenty years ago as part of the “Folk Art of Whittling”

Tree Noggins were first carved as demonstration pieces at festivals and carving events since they are simple carvings that can be completed in a relatively  short period of time. Observers of the carving demonstration can see before their eyes a section of a rustic tree limb transformed before they eyes into a “noggin” or head of a human figure. Read the rest of this entry »

Whittle-Carving heads on wooden clothes pins gives a whole new meaning to the term “Pin Head” and yet the novelty of it seems appropriate.  The wooden clothes pins were purchased at Hobby Lobby Craft Store and were made in China.  The wood is fairly hard which requires a sharp knife that utilizes slicing cuts.  The round ball at the top can be carved into a hat, hair or even a small head.  The fun part is in the creativity of coming up with a different face for each Pin Head while letting your imagination and knife have a free rein. Read the rest of this entry »