ST. CHARLES AREA WOODCARVERS

April 2004

 

Club News

Our spring show is scheduled for May 1st at O'Fallon.  The Club will have 7 tables under a tent outside and 12 tables inside the center.  A few tables remain available, so please contact Charlie Mitchell if you are interested.  He also has the sign up list for demonstrations during the day.  In return, club members are expected to demonstrate carving, burning,... during the show.  Members are asked to sign up for at least one hour of demonstration time.

Wilbert instructed several carvers in creating a variety of wood spirits at his seminar on March 6th at the O'Fallon Art Center.  By the end of the day everyone was exhausted and pleased with their creations.  Wilbert not only instructed on how to carve, he also instructed the carvers on the proper names for various facial features.  Today's quiz:  Where is your outer canthus?  Can you find your nasolabial fold?  How about your nasal septum and philtrum?  If you need help, talk to one of Wilbert's students.  Pictures from the seminar are shown below.  Thanks to Wilbert for providing the wood, sharing his tools and his knowledge.  These seminars are an excellent opportunity for club members to get quality instruction, close to home, at a very reasonable price.  Students found you do not need a lot of tools to carve with Wilbert.  If you have a 3/4 inch #12 (or bigger) you are ready to go.

Dave Lincoln will be holding the next seminar.  If you have not signed up, contact Pres. Mitchell. 

John Bouchillon brought in the 10 foot vinyl sign that he made for the club.  It looks great.  I'll get a picture for the newsletter when its displayed at the O'Fallon show.

Thanks for your feedback on club operation and the fall show.  Officers and Directors are discussing how to use this information to improve the club.  Decisions made by the Officers/Directors regarding the fall show are as follows:  it will be called "The 15th Annual Woodcarvers Show" sponsored by the SCAWC; the number of levels has been reduced to three (novice, intermediate, and advanced); a new category was added for non-members to compete in the judging; $15/table for members and $25/table for non-members (a $5/table discount will be given with a donation for the raffle, a commitment for the raffle donation is required at the time of application); vendor fees remain at $30/table; 50/50 tickets will be available at the entry; people's choice display will be along one of the entry walls with stanchions/rope to separate them from the crowd. 

Gene Webb, a wildlife carver and instructor, will be donating a video to the club library.  One of his carvings was featured on the cover of Chip Chats in January 2001.  You can check out his web site at http://home.comcast.net/~gwwoodcarver/.

                       

Tip of the Month

Jack Combs suggests using walnut shells for ground cover and paper bags for leaves.  They sure looked good on his carving with the gold finch.     

 How many times have you read a carving book and said “I’ve know that tip for a long time?”  Well here is your chance to share what you have learned with new (and old) club members.  Send me your tip of the month to share.  I will even give you credit for the tip.

 

Demonstration

Several carvers have started working on a clown carving.  If you would like to join in, contact Wilbert to obtain a rough out.  Wyatt has the wood for our friendship canes.  So start thinking about what you will carve in the 2x2x3 inch blanks.  Wyatt currently has 11 members signed up for the cane carving and is looking for more.                                      

 

Dues are Due

Its time to pay your dues for 2004; $10.  Contact the Membership Chairman, Charles Sapp, or Treasurer Bob Craven.  Club patches are available from Bob Craven for $5.  Unpaid carvers will be carved from the roster.

  

Show Case

Charlie Mitchell

Interests:  Charlie is an accomplished artist.  Not only does he carve but he is also recognized for his artistic drawings and paintings.  He is now completing classes to receive a college degree in art.  His drawing of his granddaughter's horse recently won third place in an art show at the St. Peter's Community and Art Center.  He also had two other drawings in the show; one of an eagle and one of a red tail hawk.

Training:  Started carving four years ago by taking the adult education class offered through the St. Charles Community College.  Since then Charlie has taken seminars from Rex Branson, John Engler, Vicky & Phil Bishop, Gerald Sears and Stu Martin.   

Affiliations: President of the St. Charles Area Woodcarvers.

Awards:  Several competition ribbons.

 

    
         

 

Show and Tell

(click on the pictures for a larger image)

Charlie Mitchell completed this carving as a gift for his granddaughter at her first communion.

Charlie Mitchell is also working on this bust of Jesus.

 Russ Sears created this scraper.  It has a screw that adjusts the bow in the blade which in turn determines how much wood is removed. 
Wood Spirit Class: Front row: Martha, Barb, Jane, Ray, Fred, Second row: Bill, Dan, Chris, Charlie, Wilbert Martha & Bill in class. Wilbert Brewton instructing the class.
                
Ray, Dan, and Barbara creating their wood sprit.

Martha roughing out the nose.  Next will come the nasolabial fold.....

Russ Sears made this jig to construct furniture joints.
                                           

This is a kaleidoscope lighthouse made by Barb Smith at Branson.  She also has a Santa kaleidoscope in work. 

Welcome sign made by Charlotte Cross at Branson.  She also had several others that she has made at home.

Wolves carved by John Bouchillon at Branson.  John says there are 10 colors and 12 layers of paint on the carving.  Epoxy was used for the eyes.

                                                
Don Kley finished this fisherman during rainy days in Florida this winter.  Welcome back! Cardinal carved by Jim Leifeld.  Jim plans to enter the carving in an Ohio show this spring. Jack Combs had a pair of gold finch and Bill Kuhn had a wood spirit and penguin for display. 
                      

 Sorry guys.  Operator/camera problems lost these pictures. 

 

When you have an item for show and tell, please get my attention before you leave (presuming that I remember to bring the camera).  If you have a digital picture of your work, send it to me for publishing.

 

 

 

Charles W. Sapp

Editor