a lost art?

Hey; What happened to all the caricature carvers? I just got my mew computer up and running and see that there hasn't been a post here since May, 26th. I have been busy carving and teaching and getting ready for five fall shows, two teaching classes, and will be teaching a fall and spring knife carving course in a local night school. My second Great-Grandchild is on the way and I can hardy wait. Life is good. Big Al



Great Granfathers are the sharpest

[BasketballJones]

Just finnishing up my version of the Sherriif and completed a Golfer from a previous issue of WCI. I'm a bit disappointed in the outcome but have been told they are quite good. However, it was my goal to do it completely by hand without any assistance from rotary tools so in that perspective I am quite pleased. I dramatically noticed the improvement in my skills. I became a little impatient with the painting. So my plan now is to begin a new carving when I begin the finnishing process to avoid frustration.

Congrats on the new baby. May he/she be healthy and a Caricature Carver.

Big_Al,
The reason that there are not a lot of post here is that Caricature carvers are a breed all of their own. It is an art form in itself. I have tried on numerous occasions to carve caricatures but mine never ever seem to look anything like they are supposed to be. As I have said before I need to take a few courses unfortunatly there are not a lot of good courses here in Canada to take. I always look upon the caricatures at the carving shows with envy wishing I had the talent to produce the carvings.
Colin

Congratulations on Granddchild and new computer. Both cause for rejoicing. I am busy getting carvings completed for an upcoming show in September here in southern California. There will also be a 4 day seminar by Dave Stetson during the same week which I am signed up for. Looking forward to improving my skills. I want to take about 9 carvings to the show. It is my first showing and I would like to get some experienced people to view, judge and provide helpful criticism so that I can improve.

I often wonder why this section doesn't more traffic myself. Looking back at the Woodcarving magazine, there have been recommendations that they have more articles on Caricature carving (from some letters in the mag). There seems to be a lot of interest, but not much of input or questions on this board.

I read the board almost daily, but rarely post. Don't know if I've ever had a question to post.....However, I am very fortunate to have LOTS of caricature carvers in my area to draw from. Ususally I go staight to a friend for help.

Matter of fact, I have a friend coming over tonight to carve.

Lastly, I expect the traffic to pick up soon with the CCA event at Dollywood in the not-to-distant future.

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Congrats on the 2 new additions, one here already('puter) and the pending one(2nd grandchild).

One answer to your query might be that I see an awful lot of posts in the beginners and more often in the general carvers section that have what I would call caricatures. I mean afterall would not all the Santa carvings really be caricatures, based on cultural beliefs and modern media's choices of what might or might not represent Santa, St. Nickolas, Father Christmas, etc., etc. ??

I chose a Santa pattern for my first and now second attempt at carving in the round, mostly because it appeared to be a simple straight forward pattern...it was and is... and I understand that the caricature cavings many do are intended to exaggerate some or most features, but are not all carvings that do not depict the object used as a reference or inspiration at least loosely qualify as a caricature? I may and probably wrong there but it seems reasonable to me, I mean I have seen some fish and fowl carvings that looked absolutely real.

Just my humble opinion.

Chahlie

[Big_Sid]

I've always been told that a caricature carving is a carving that couldn't possibably dress themselves. ie. large hands, feet, heads, etc. At least that is what Phil and Vicki Bishop tell me. And they ought to know.

I am a 'wannabe' caricature carver. I have carved a few caricatures and they came out 'alright'. I bought Marv Kaisersatt's recent book and followed through his study carving in the first half of his book. Wow! Did I learn a lot! About half way through the process I kept saying (sometimes out loud), 'Oh, I see, I get it.' I would sure like to attend one of his classes. I wonder if he is considering writing an additional book on carving the caricature body?

One last thing: It is difficult for me to carve some of the features as dispropotionatley large for the rest of the carving as they need to be in a caricature.

Jerry, from Hartwell, GA

[oldbearx2]

Hey Jerry I got the chance to meet Marv at a recent woodcarving show and took a short seminar with him. What a great talent. I also have been trying to carve caricatures for a while but could never get the look I wanted. Faces always looked evil or mean. One trip through Marv's book and I found out how to fix it. Now I've actually made a few I like maybe can post them up at picturetrail. I think it would also be great to take a class with him. have fun, carve oldbearx2


Harold

Big-Al
we are still around,what with being away for a month and since i've been back my time has been taken up by other projects(not mine) hopfully demands on my time will subside and i can give some thought to coming up with some new ideas.
Frank