Showing posts with label wood carving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wood carving. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Mudville Whittlers- the art of woodcarving is still alive and well in Copperopolis

A small, dedicated group of woodcarvers, meet each week to carve, chat, create, research, exchange ideas, and carve some more.

The group, though small, is hoping to reach out to people that have interest in "keeping the art alive." Vicki has 20 years of carving under her belt, whereas her friend and fellow carver Joe, has 9. "We want to share the art of woodworking, we want to teach, to get people involved."

Most recently the group provided demonstrations at the fairgrounds for wood carving hopefuls. "Our group costs nothing to belong, we charge nothing to learn and we welcome even those who have never held a wood carving tool. It is a fun hobby." Said Vicki.

When asked if the wood ever 'spoke' to them, that is when Joe's eyes lit up. Joe loves to hunt for driftwood or interesting woods to carve. While first learning he spent a lot of time practicing, creating an ear stick, a wooden stick with a variety of ears carved upon it, an eye stick and more. Coming to the wood with an idea is one approach, but allowing the wood to come to you with an idea is a whole 'nother ball game. The driftwood and woodbark creations by Joe are filled with passion - and with a little touch of winsome thrown in for good measure.


 Cutting with the grain, creating art with each cut.

Scandinavian influenced walking stick - being painstakingly and lovingly carved by 72 year-old carving enthusiast  Vicki.

Husband and wife Joe and Kathie Perry combine their two loves, stained glass and woodbark carving.

The beginning - bass wood...a wood carvers blank canvas.